«3  4.7 


LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 

Gift  of 

THE  INSTITUTE 

FOR  THE  STUDY  OF 

AMERICAN  RELIGION 


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http://www.archive.org/details/admonitorycounseOObal<eiala 


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ijVDMONITORY  COUNSELS 


ADDRESSED  TO 


A    METHODIST, 


ON  SUBJECTS  OF 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE  AND  PRACTICE.   , 


BY   JOHN   BAKE  WELL. 


RKVISED    BY    THE    EDITOR. 


PUBLISHED  BY  LANE  &  SCOTT, 

200  Mulberry-itreeC. 

JOSEPH     LONOKIKO,     PRINTER 

1849- 


PREFACE. 


At  a  time  when  the  press  is  teeming  with 
rehgious  pubUcations,  it  seems  requisite  to 
offer  some  apology  for  adding  to  the  number. 

The  author  of  the  following  pages  has  for 
some  time  been  under  the  conviction,  that  a 
work  was  needed  which  could  be  placed,  as 
a  guide,  in  the  hands  of  the  members,  espe- 
cially the  junior  members,  of  Methodist  so- 
cieties. 

To  ensiure  the  efficiency  of  a  system,  it 
must  not  only  be  well  adapted  to  its  proposed 
end,  but  its  component  parts  must  be  clearly 
understood,  and  its  true  spirit  faithfully  car- 
lied  out.  To  promote  these  objects,  in  ref- 
erence to  Methodism,  is  the  design  of  the 
writer.  Whether  the  attempt  be  a  success- 
ful one,  must  be  decided  by  those  to  whom 
the  contents  of  this  volume  are  more  im 
mediately  addressed. 


/r/j^v 


4  PREFACE. 

Conscious  that  his  only  aim  is  to  become 
the  humble  instrument  of  rendering  his  read- 
ers increasingly  holy,  and  useful,  and  happy 
in  the  church  of  God,  the  author  commends 
his  work  to  the  blessing  of  Hira^  without 
whose  sanction  the  best-devised  and  best-in- 
tended schemes  are  vain. 

J.  B. 

Chester,  Dec,  1840. 


,t^l" 


•^\ 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  Page 

On  the  nature  and  importance  of  a  thorough  convic- 
tionofsin 7 

CHAPTER  II. 
On  justification,  faith,  and  assurance 15 

CHAPTER  HI. 
On  sanctification 35 

CHAPTER  IV. 
On  the  means  of  promoting  personal  religion, — watch- 
fulness, self-examination   66 

CHAPTER  V. 
Means  of  promoting  personal  religion  (continued) — 
prayer,  reading  the  Scriptures 79 

CHAPTER  VI. 
On  the  social  means  of  grace,— public  worship,  the 
Lord's  supper 180 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Social  means  of  grace  (continued) — class  meetings, 
prayer  meetings,  band  meetings,  love-feasts  .....   145 

CHAPTER  Vra. 
On  the  duties  of  church  membership 171 


ADMONITOTIY  COUNSELS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ON    THE    NATURE   AND    IMPORTANCE    OF  A 
THOROUGH   CONVICTION    OF    SIN. 

An  open  profession  of  religion  is  the  unques- 
tionable duty  of  every  sincere  Christian.  In 
the  present  state  of  the  world  the  only  mode  of 
properly  making  this  profession  is,  by  being 
united  to  some  religious  society.  He  who 
forms  such  a  union  will,  if  actuated  by  right 
motives,  give  preference  to  that  denomination 
which  most  nearly  meets  his  own  views  in 
matters  of  doctrine  and  of  discipline,  and  to- 
ward the  ministers  and  members  of  which  he 
can  cherish  a  cordial  and  respectful  attach- 
ment. A  union  based  on  such  principles  will, 
in  all  probability,  be  permanent ;  and,  if  rightly 
used  and  appreciated,  will  be  productive  of  the 
happiest  results. 

The  persons  for  whose  benefit  this  little  book 
is  specially  intended  have  selected  the  Meth- 
odists, as  the  people  in  connection  with  whom 
they  will  confess  Christ  before  men.  As  Meth- 
odists of  every  section,  are  distinguished  from 
oUier  communities  by  certain  peculiarities  of 


6  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

sentiment  and  of  usage,  my  design  is  to  offer  a 
few  counsels  which  shaU^at  once  recognise 
these  peculiarities,  unfola;  in  some  measure, 
the  privileges  which  they  confer,  and  enforce 
the  obligations  which  they  involve. 

Those  who  have  but  latejy  begun  to  receive 
the  weekly  instructions  of  a  leader  constitute 
the  interesting  class  of  persons  to  whom  I  wish, 
for  the  present,  more  particularly  to  address 
myself.  May  I  bespeak  your  candid,  your  se- 
rious, your  prayerful  attention  ?  In  presuming 
to  advise  you,  I  trust  that  the  advancement  of 
God's  glory  is  my  principal  aim ;  and  in  sub- 
ordination to  this,  I  feel  that  I  am  prompted  by 
Christian  sympathy  and  affection  toward  you. 
My  object  is  to  encourage  you  to  persevere  in 
the  course  upon  which  you  have  entered ;  at 
the  same  time  to  warn  you  against  dangers  to 
which  you  will  be  unavoidably  exposed,  and  to 
direct  you  to  that  source  from  whence  strength 
and  wisdom  are  to  be  derived.  Let  me  beg  of 
you  to  look  up  to  God,  that  by  his  blessing  this 
effort  may  be  rendered  instrumental  in  establish- 
ing you  in  the  faith,  and  perfecting  you  in  love. 

In  the  commencement  of  your  religious 
course,  it  is  of  supreme  importance  that  you 
obtain  right  views  of  yourself  as  a  sinner  in 
the  sight  of  God.  Our  Lord  speaks  of  stony- 
ground  hearers,  who,  though  they  "  receive 
the  word  with  joy,"  yet  "  endure  only  for  a 
time."  They  run  well  for  a  season  ;  they  give 
promise  and  raise  expectations  of  usefulness ; 
but  in  a  while  they  return  to  their  former  habits 


AOilOMTOKV    COUNSELS. 


of  ungodliness,  and  drink  even  more  deeply 
than  ever  into  the  spirit  of  the  world.  Why 
this  instability  ?  The  causes  of  it  are  various ; 
but  it  very  frequently  arises  from  the  want  of 
an  adequate  conviction  of  guilt.  There  is  no 
fruit,  because  there  is  "  no  deepness  of  earth," 
in  which  the  seed  of  the  word  can  take  root, 
and  maintain  its  hold  on  the  heart.  There 
being,  in  the  first  instance,  no  depth  of  convic- 
tion, there  is,  in  consequence,  no  decision  of 
character.  There  may  be  slight  and  transient 
emotions ;  there  may  be  some  indications  of 
seriousness,  and  even  of  sorrow  ;  but  these  may 
exist  when  there  is  no  sense  of  the  intolerable 
burden  of  sin,  nor  any  clear  perception  of  that 
depravity  which  reigns  in  every  imrenewed 
mind. 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  add  to  the  anxieties  of 
those  who  are  already  sorrowing  to  repentance  ; 
but  I  cannot  divest  myself  of  the  fear  that  many 
religious  inquirers  are  falsely  reconciled  to  the 
absence  of  strong  convictions  of  sin,  by  the 
well-intended  but  erroneous  encouragements 
that  are  frequently  administered.  When  one 
who  is  favoured  with  some  measure  of  spiritual 
light  complains  that  his  impressions  are  not 
sufficiently  strong,  nor  his  sorrow  for  sin  suffi- 
ciently deep,  he  is  told,  perhaps  without  further 
inquiry  or  discrimination,  that  God  is  gently 
drawing  him  with  the  cords  of  love,  and  there- 
lore  does  not  visit  him  with  those  distressing 
apprehensions  of  which  others  are  the  subjects. 
Such  a  statement  may  be  true,  and  therefore 


10  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

may  be  applicable  to  the  individual  to  whom  it 
is  addressed.  But  it  may  be  otherwise.  It 
may  be,  that  instead  of  being  soothed  and  qui- 
eted, the  inquirer  needs  to  be  directed  to  those 
means  and  considerations  which,  by  more  pow- 
erfully awakening  his  conscience,  will  impart 
earnestness  and  decision  to  his  efforts.  In  ad- 
vising those  who  profess  a  desire  after  salva- 
tion, it  can  seldom,  if  ever,  be  wrong  to  enforce 
the  necessity  of  a  deep  and  humbling  convic- 
tion of  sin.  Be  it  also  remembered,  that  every 
one  who  is  drawn  to  Christ,  is  drawn  by  the 
cords  of  divine  love  ;  so  that  whether  the  pen- 
itent be  agitated  with  terror,  or  melted  into 
sorrow,  his  conversion  is  equally  an  act  of  in- 
finite mercy.  Neither  is  the  sinner  drawn  only 
by  the  cords  of  love  :  he  is  also  guided  by  the 
light  of  truth ;  and  whenever  truth  shines  into 
the  heart,  it  lays  open  the  depth  and  power  of 
its  depravity.  Nor  is  it  easy  to  conceive  of 
any  human  being  entering  in  at  the  "  straight 
gate,"  and  exercising  "  repentance  toward 
God,"  who  does  not  painfully  feel  the  burden 
of  his  sin,  and  who  is  not  both  grieved  and 
humbled  by  the  recollection  of  his  ingratitude 
and  rebellion.  Be  assured  of  this,  that  unless 
you.  so  feel  your  sinfulness,  as  to  mourn  on  ac- 
count of  it,  a  thorough  and  permanent  change 
of  heart  can  never  be  experienced.  One  cause 
of  the  formality,  lukewarmness,  and  hypocrisy 
which  too  evidently  exists  in  some  religious 
professors,  and  of  the  apostacy  which  we  de- 
plore in  others,  is,  that  they  have  never  been 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  11 

subdued  and  heart-broken  under  a  sense  of 
their  vileness ;  they  have  never  had  the  con- 
victions of  the  publican,  constraining  them  to 
cry  out,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 

Be  determined,  therefore,  to  acquire  such  a 
knowledge  of  the  nature  of  sin  as  will  render 
it  the  object  of  your  abhorrence.  By  searching 
the  Scriptures  you  will  find  it  represented  as  an 
evil  of  awful  and  incalculable  magnitude.  Sin 
is  the  transgression  both  of  the  moral  and  of  the 
evangelical  law  of  God  :  it  is  therefore  nothing 
less  than  open  rebellion  against  the  divine  go- 
vernment ;  it  opposes  itself  to  the  justice  and 
benevolence  of  the  divine  character ;  it  debases 
the  dignity  and  destroys  the  happiness  of  man ; 
it  pollutes  his  nature  and  ruins  his  soul.  Con- 
template sin  as  the  source  of  these  appalling 
consequences.  Yiew  it  in  all  its  deformity,  till 
your  heart  loathes  it,  and  swells  with  indigna- 
tion against  it.  Ponder  also  the  melancholy 
fact,  that  you  are  by  nature  the  subject,  the 
slave,  of  sin  ;  that  your  heart  has  hitherto  been 
the  welcome  abode  of  this  tyrant ;  and  that  your 
life  has  been  submissively  governed  by  its 
dictates. 

Try  yourself  by  the  first  great  command- 
ment of  the  divine  law,  which  requires  you  to 
love  God  with  a  supreme  and  constant  affec- 
tion :  this  equitable  requirement  you  have  never 
once  obeyed ;  this  first  great  duty  you  have 
never  once  performed.  From  the  moment  of 
your  becoming  accountable  to  God,  you  have 
therefore,  by   your  disobedience  to  this  one 


lii  AUinOiMTuKV     COU.NStLS. 

coininaudmeiit,  been  incessantly  accumulating 
guilt  upon  your  conscience. 

Not  only  have  you  withheld  your  heart  from 
God,  you  have  also  repeatedly  been  influenced 
by  selfishness,  envy,  unkindness,  and  resent- 
ment toward  your  fellow-men.  And  though 
the  world  may  regard  your  conduct  as  unex- 
ceptionable, yet,  if  you  are  taught  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  you  will  be  painfully  conscious  that 
you  have  never  for  one  moment  felt  that  pure, 
ardent,  and  universal  benevolence  which  is  en- 
joined in  the  comprehensive  precept,  "  Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself." 

But  this  is  not  all.  Your  transgressions  of 
the  moral  law  have  been  committed  under  cir- 
cumstances which  render  those  transgressions 
peculiarly  aggravating.  You  have  been  fa- 
voured with  gospel  light,  anj  with  Christian 
ordinances ;  but  this  light  you  have  resisted, 
these  ordinances  you  have  disregarded.  Mercy 
has  been  repeatedly  offered  to  you,  but  you 
have  spurned  the  oflfer;  Christ  has  been 
preached  to  you,  but  you  have  rejected  him ; 
you  have  heard  of  his  infinite  love,  but  you 
have  refused  to  be  softened  by  its  influence ; 
the  efficacy  of  his  atonement  has  been  an- 
nounced to  you,  but  you  have  treated  the  an- 
nouncement with  strange  and  criminal  indif- 
ference. 

Such  are  the  reflections  that  will  occupy 
your  mind,  if  you  be  the  subject  of  saving  con- 
viction. You  will  feel  that  ingratitude,  impen- 
itence, and  unbelief,  constitute  the  essence  and 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  13 

enormity  of  your  guilt.  Your  recollections  of 
the  goodness  of  God,  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ, 
and  of  the  strivings  of  the  Spirit,  contrasted 
with  your  own  disobedience,  will  so  vividly 
exhibit  to  you  the  evU  of  sin,  and  the  depravity 
of  your  heart,  as  to  fill  you  with  self-abhor- 
rence, humiliation,  and  sorrow. 

Whatever  may  be  the  degree  of  conviction 
which  you  feel,  do  not,  I  beseech  you,  trifle 
with  its  warnings  ;  whether  your  impressions 
be  feeble  or  powerful,  do  not,  by  levity  and  un- 
watchfulness,  weaken  their  influence ;  let 
neither  the  loss  of  worldly  friendship,  nor  the 
sacrifice  of  worldly  pleasure,  nor  the' endurance 
of  persecution,  prevent  you  from  acting  with 
decision  and  earnestness  in  the  pursuit  of  sal- 
vation. If  you  extinguish  the  light  that  is  within 
you,  an  awful  state  of  darkness  and  insensibil- 
ity will  be  the  consequence ;  the  Holy  Spirit, 
expelled  from  the  heart  which  he  designed  to 
make  his  home,  may  abandon  you  for  ever,  and 
leave  you  to  reap  the  fruits  of  your  infatuation 
throughout  a  dark  and  dismal  eternity. 

In  thus  urging  upon  you  the  importance  of 
a  deep  conviction  of  sin,  let  me  caution  you 
against  supposing  that  the  depth  of  your  con- 
victions can  invest  you  with  any  claim  to  the 
divine  favour.  Conviction,  of  itself,  furnishes 
no  ground  of  confidence  toward  God,  though  it 
is  necessary  to  prepare  and  fit  the  mind  for  the 
reception  of  gospel  privileges.  The  pardon  of 
sin  will  be  most  earnestly  sought  after,  and 
most  cordially  welcomed    by  him  who  most 


14  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

acutely  feels  the  burden  of  his  guilt ;  sanctifi- 
cation  will  be  most  highly  appreciated  by  him 
who  has  the  clearest  insight  into  the  depravity 
of  his  own  heart;  and  communion  with  the 
Father  will  yield  the  richest  joy  to  him  who  is 
most  painfully  sensible  of  his  natural  alienation 
from  God,  and  of  his  enmity  against  him. 

Sincere  inquirers  after  salvation  are  fre- 
quently anxious  to  ascertain  what  amount  of 
godly  sorrow  is  necessary  to  constitute  them 
real  penitents.  It  would  be  difficult,  if  not  im- 
possible, to  give  a  definite  answer  to  such  a 
question.  It  may,  however,  in  general  terms, 
be  observed,  that  where  there  is  such  a  desire 
after  the  blessings  of  redemption,  as  leads  to 
the  immediate  abandonment  of  every  sin,  to 
frequent  and  wrestling  prayer,  and  to  a  diligent 
use  of  all  the  other  means  of  grace,  there  are 
satisfactory  indications  of  genuine  penitence, — 
of  a  penitence  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the 
Spirit  of  Grod.  And  as  he  is  the  Author  of 
conviction,  he  will,  if  his  influences  be  cher- 
ished, and  his  dictates  obeyed,  carry  on  his 
own  work,  and  pour  that  divine  light  into  the 
'understanding  which  shall  reveal  the  siriner's 
danger  and  the  Saviour's  glory  ;  a  light  which 
shall  shine  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

I  cannot  dismiss  this  subject  without  remind- 
ing you  that  the  sorrows  of  conviction  are  es- 
sentially diflferent  from  the  agonies  of  despair; 
nor  must  the  latter  be  substituted  for  the  former. 
It  is  possible  for  a  person  to  have  alarming  ap- 
prehensions of  the  wrath  to    come,   without 


ADMOMTORY    COU.VSKI.S.  ID 

loathing  and  humbling  himself  before  God  on 
account  of  his  sii.s.  Do  not,  therefore,  imagine 
that  a  foretaste  of  hell  is  necessary  to  render 
you  a  true  penitent.  You  cannot  indeed  feel 
yourself  a  sinner  without  in  some  measure  feel- 
ing the  condemnation  of  sin ;  but,  if  your  re- 
pentance be  genuine,  it  is  not  the  condemna- 
tion of  sin  that  chiefly  occupies  your  thoughts, 
but  its  defilement,  its  ingratitude,  its  opposition 
to  God.  You  mourn  over  it,  not  only  because 
it  deprives  you  of  God's  favour,  but  because  it 
unfits  vou  for  his  service. 


CHAPTER  II. 

.  just;fication — faith — assurance. 

I  AM  now  about  to  address  you  on  subjects 
which,  if  you  are  athirst  for  salvation,  you  will 
deem  of  unspeakable  interest  and  importance. 
You  need  scarcely  be  informed  of  the  necessity 
of  obtaining  correct  views  on  the  doctrine  of 
justification  by  faith,  and  also  of  securing  a 
personal  interest  in  that  great  blessing.  To  be 
in  error  on  this  subject,  is  to  be  in  danger  ;  in- 
asmuch as  it  enters  into  the  very  essence  of 
the  Christian's  hope,  and  supplies  the  only 
efficient  motives  to  acceptable  obedience. 
Doubtless  your  opinions  on  justification  may 
he  orthodox,  while  the  practical  influence  of 


Ifi  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

those  opinions  is  unfelt ;  nevertheless  it  is  ob- 
vious that  the  comforting  and  hallowing  effects 
of  this  doctrine  cannot  be  experienced  unless 
your  knowledge  of  it  be  sound  and  Scriptural. 

In  attempting  to  define  justification,  it  may  be 
observed,  that  it  consists  in  the  sinner's  deliv- 
erance from  that  condemnation  which  sin  has 
brought  upon  him,  and  which  he  justly  merits. 
As  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him  who  be- 
lieves not,  so  when  by  faith  he  is  justified  this 
wrath  is  removed.  In  the  act  of  justification 
that  sentence  which  dooms  the  sinner  to  eter- 
nal perdition  is  repealed,  withdrawn,  and  blot- 
ted out.  When  a  person  is  justified,  he  is  ac- 
cepted of  God,  received  into  his  favour,  and 
made  the  object  of  the  divine  complacency. 
Thus  justification  essentially  includes  the  free 
forgiveness  of  sin.  Indeed,  the  terms  justifi- 
cation, pardon,  and  forgiveness,  as  they  are 
used  in  the  Scriptures,  obviously  mean  one  and 
the  same  thing.  This  great  blessing,  there- 
fore, consists,  not  only  in  a  deliverance  from 
all  liability  to  punishment  for  past  sin,  but  in 
being  also  constituted  an  heir  of  everlasting 
glory. 

That  you  may  be  rooted  and  grounded  in 
this  doctrine,  let  me  exhort  you  to  read  the 
Bible,  especially  those  portions  of  the  New 
Testament  which  dwell  on  the  design  of  the 
death  of  Christ,  and  on  God's  method  of  justi- 
fying sinners.  Pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  would 
open  the  eyes  of  your  understanding,  that  yju 
may  have  a  spiritual  discernment  of  the  thi»  gs 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  17 

of  God,  and  that  you  may  be  guided  into  all 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  It  will,  at  the  same 
time,  be  your  privilege  and  your  duty  to  avail 
yourself  of  such  helps  for  the  right  understand- 
ing of  the  word  of  God  on  this  subject,  as  have 
been  furnished  by  men  who,  though  not  in- 
spired, have,  we  believe,  been  taught  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  You  may  read  with  great  ad- 
vantage Mr.  Wesley's  and  Dr.  Bunting's  dis- 
courses on  justification  ;  which,  in  my  humble 
opinion,  give  in  clear  and  forcible  language  the 
true  sense  of  Scripture  on  this  all-important 
doctrine.  Let  your  inquiries  be  pursued,  not  in 
the  spirit  of  cold  speculation,  nor  for  the  pur- 
pose of  satisfying  a  vain  curiosity  ;  but  let  your 
object  be  to  secure  reconciliation  with  God, 
and  to  have  your  confidence  fixed  on  that  foun- 
dation which  is  laid  in  Zion. 

Important  as  it  is  that  you  should  rightly 
understand  the  nature  of  justification,  it  is  of 
infinitely  greater  importance  that  you  should 
experience  its  vital,  saving  influence.  I  will 
therefore  now  address  myself  to  you  on  the 
presumption  that  you  are  anxiously  proposing 
the  inquiry,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?" 
and  that  you  are  determined  not  to  rest, — that 
you  feel  you  cannot  rest, — until  you  are  assured 
of  your  acceptance  with  God. 

You  are  seeking  to  be  justified,  and  the  gos- 
pel informs  you  that  you  are  to  be  "  justified 
by  faith."  If,  indeed,  you  were  required  to 
bring  any  personal  righteousness  as  the  ground 
or  condition  of  your  justification,  the  blessing 
*2 


18  APMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

could  never  be  yours.  You  feel  this  to  be  true. 
Instead  of  dreaming  that  your  obedience  to 
God's  law  can  either  merit  or  procure  his 
favour,  your  most  decided  and  painful  convic- 
tion is,  that  you  have  no  obedience  to  offer. 
Your  conscience,  enlightened  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  testifies  against  you,  that  you  are 
altogether  sinful.  And  it  is  as  a  sinner,  con- 
scious of  your  guilt,  not  as  a  righteous  charac- 
ter, that  you  are  to  come  to  Christ  for  salvation. 
Even  your  penitence  you  cannot  rest  upon  as 
a  foundation  of  hope;  because,  involving  as  it 
does  the  discovery  of  your  utter  destitution  of 
all  spiritual  good,  its  consequent  results  are  the 
renunciation  of  self,  and  the  exclusion  of  every 
plea,  of  every  ground  of  hope,  except  the  great 
atonement.  Throughout  the  universe  a  more 
monstrous  contradiction  cannot  be  found  than 
that  of  a  self-dependant,  self-justifying  penitent. 
"  Believe,  then,  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
thou  shalt  be  saved."  Believe  immediately. 
The  trembling  jailer  was  not  told  to  defer  the 
exercise  of  his  faith :  he  was  commanded  to 
believe,  and  that  without  delay,  although  but  a 
few  minutes  previously  he  had  attempted  to 
commit  suicide.  If,  therefore,  you  are  earnestly 
proposing  the  jailer's  inquiry,  you  are  not  to 
wait  till  your  convictions  are  stronger,  nor  till 
you  are  more  deeply  humbled  under  a  sense  of 
sin.  If  you  are  longing  to  be  free,  if  you  are 
athirst  for  salvation,  if  you  feel  your  need  of 
Christ,  you  must  come  to  him  just  as  you  are. 
You  must  come  to  him  with  all  those  corrup- 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  19 

tions  of  which  you  are  conscious,  and  over 
which  you  mourn  ;  you  must  come  with  all  that 
impenitence,  pride,  and  hardness  of  heart  of 
which  you  complain.  Instead  of  considering 
these  evils  as  reasons  for  delaying  your  appli- 
cation to  Christ,  you  must  regard  them  as  fur- 
nishing the  most  powerful  motives  for  the  im- 
mediate exercise  of  faith.  By  a  believing  view 
of  the  cross,  the  impenitence  which  grieves 
you  will  be  removed ;  the  pride  that  harasses 
you  will  be  abased ;  the  hardness  of  heart  that 
discourages  you  will  be  melted  away.  In  the 
cross  there  is  a  power  which  gives  a  death- 
blow to  every  corruption ;  and  an  attraction 
which  despoils  sin  of  its  fascination,  and  con- 
centrates the  soul's  affections  on  God  and  holi- 
ness :  there  is  in  the  cross  a  glory,  the  rays  of 
which  banish  those  clouds  of  spiritual  darkness 
that  oppressed  the  sinner  ;  substituting  for  them 
the  light  of  God's  countenance,  and  the  hope  of 
heaven.  This  moment,  then,  look  to  Jesus 
with  confidence ;  look  to  him  for  a  present 
salvation.  The  fountain  of  his  blood  is  always 
open  ;  it  is  open  for  sin  and  for  un cleanness  ; 
and  as  the  efficacy  of  that  blood  is  infinite  and 
perpetual,  so  also  are  the  ability  and  willing- 
ness of  Christ  to  save  you  even  to  the  uttermost. 
Let  me  caution  you  against  expecting  an 
assurance  of  pardon  before  you  have  exercised 
faith.  Such  an  expectation  is  both  unscriptural 
and  presumptuous ;  and  yet  many,  instead  of 
struggling  against  unbelief,  look  for  a  sudden 
and  overpowering  communication  of  the  divine 


20  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

presence,  and  imagine  that,  until  thus  favoured, 
they  must  continue  in  darkness  and  in  bondage. 
That  such  manifestations  are  promised,  is  un- 
questionable ;  that  they  are  enjoyed  is  equally 
certain.  But  they  are  promised  to  faith  ;  and 
are  enjoyed  only  by  those  who  have  already 
believed.  It  is  by  "  believing  we  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."  It  is  God's 
prerogative  to  impart  consolation,  it  is  your 
duty  to  believe  ;  and  before  you  can  receive 
an  assurance  of  pardon,  you  must  exercise 
faith  in  the  atonement.  First,  believe ;  and 
then,  and  not  till  then,  shall  the  "  Spirit  itself 
bear  witness  with  your  spirit  that  you  are  a 
child  of  God." 

But  you  will  probably  ask.  What  is  faith  ? 
How  am  I  to  believe  ?  Such  questions  are 
often  proposed  by  penitents  :  they  are  questions 
which  generally  indicate  a  state  of  painful  em- 
barrassment, and  frequently  occasion  protracted 
distress.  Faith  has  been  defined  as  a  simple 
belief  of  the  gospel  testimony.  Admitting  the 
correctness  of  this  very  general  definition,  the 
next  question  which  naturally  arises  is.  What 
is  the  gospel  testimony  ?  Some  have  asserted 
that  it  is  the  statement  of  facts  and  the  system 
of  truths  which  the  gospel  reveals  to  us ;  and 
that  faith  is  a  firm  persuasion  of  the  certainty 
of  these  truths,  and  of  the  reality  of  these  facts. 
This  is  true  as  far  as  it  goes  ;  but  it  does  not 
go  sufficiently  far  to  meet  the  necessities,  and 
remove  the  anxieties  under  which  you  labour. 
You  already  have  this  firm  persuasion  of  the 


ADMONITORY    COUNSKLS.  21 

truth  of  the  gospel,  and  yet  your  conscience  is 
unrelieved  of  its  burden. 

The  gospel  testimony  includes  a  number  of 
facts  and  truths,  individually  exhibiting  their 
distinctive  features,  but  all  together  constituting 
one  harmonious  and  divinely  arranged  system. 
It  is  not  unreasonable,  then,  to  suppose  that 
these  facts  and  truths  are  severally  intended 
and  adapted  to  benefit  man  under  his  varied 
circumstances,  feelings,  and  modifications  of 
character.  Is  there  not,  therefore,  some  one 
part  of  this  testimony,  some  one  object  which 
it  places  before  us,  which  is  pre-eminently  cal- 
culated, yea,  especially  designed,  to  direct  and 
comfort  the  inquiring  penitent  ? 

Now  one  part  of  the  gospel  testimony  is,  that 
"  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly  ;"  and  some  have 
affirmed  that  justifying  faith  is  nothing  more 
than  simply  believing  this  or  some  other  pro- 
position of  the  same  import.  But  you  already 
believe  this  ;  nevertheless  you  are  still  in  bond- 
age. Your  faith,  though  it  include  the  death 
of  Christ  in  its  objects,  is  even  yet  of  too  gen- 
eral and  of  too  vague  a  character  to  bring  you 
the  satisfaction  after  which  you  are  seeking. 
It  is  not  enough  for  you  merely  to  know  that 
"  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly ;"  because  this 
declaration,  when  compared  with  other  pas- 
sages, might  have  signified  that  Christ  died 
only  for  a  select  number  of  the  ungodly;  and 
had  it  been  so,  there  would  have  been  no  war- 
rant, no  ground  whatever,  for  relying  upon  him 
as   your  Saviour.       No  invitations,   however 


22  ADMOMTOliy    COUNSELS. 

unlimited,  no  entreaties,  however  urgent,  could 
rationally  justify  you  in  reposing  your  confi- 
dence in  Christ,  unless  there  be  satisfactory 
grounds  for  believing  that  you  are  one  of  the 
ungodly  "  for  ♦vhom  Christ  died." 

The  object  of  which  you  are  in  pursuit  is  an 
assurance  of  your  personal  interest  in  the  death 
of  the  Saviour :  the  only  ground  upon  which 
this  assurance  can  rest  is  the  declarations  of 
God's  word.  It  is  true,  you  will  not  find  your 
name  in  the  sacred  book,  connected  with  the 
statement  that  you  are  one  for  whose  benefit 
the  atonement  was  offered :  but  your  character 
and  condition  as  a  sinner  are  described  ;  and 
whatever  is  affirmed  to  have  been  accomplished 
for  every  sinner  was,  of  course,  accomplished 
for  you ;  it  is  therefore  designed  for  your  en- 
couragement, and  is,  on  your  part,  a  legitimate 
object  of  appropriation.  Let  us,  then,  endea- 
vour to  ascertain  what  the  word  of  God  testis 
fifts,  and  whether  it  does  not  authorize  you  to 
believe  that  Christ  died  for  you. 

The  apostle  Paul,  speaking  of  Christ  Jesus, 
calls  him  "  my  Lord  ;"  and  in  another  epistle, 
naming  him  by  his  title  of  Son  of  God,  he  adds, 
"  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me." 
Each  of  these  passages  exhibits  an  act  of  ap- 
propriating faith.  Was  this  appropriating  faith 
a  privilege  conferred  exclusively  on  the  apos- 
tle ?  Certainly  not.  In  this  respect  he  was 
placed  on  the  same  level,  and  bound  by  the 
same  conditions  as  every  other  Christian  be- 
lieyer :  and  the  persuasion  which  he  felt  was 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  23 

not  a  privilege  peculiar  to  himself  and  the  rest 
of  the  apostles  ;  it  was  common  to  all  the  faith- 
ful followers  of  Christ.  As  a  development 
of  Christian  experience,  it  is  not  to  be  regarded 
as  a  standard  placed  immeasurably  beyond  our 
reach,  but  as  an  example  which  we  are  re- 
quired to  imitate ;  as  indicating  a  state  of  mind 
to  which  all  may  attain,  and  the  blessedness 
of  which  all  may  realize. 

In  order  to  evince  to  you  that  the  confidence 
expressed  by  the  apostle  may  be  as  boldly  ex- 
ercised by  you,  let  me  direct  you  to  declarations 
which,  from  their  explicitness  and  universality, 
ought  at  once  to  remove  hesitation  and  to  ban- 
ish doubt.  The  word  of  God  asserts  that 
Christ  "  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all ;"  that 
"  he  tasted  death  for  every  man  ;"  that  "  he  is 
a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world." 
Such  is  the  gospel  testimony  ;  and  if  faith  con- 
sist in  believing  this  testimony,  then,  in  order 
to  exercise  this  faith,  you  must  believe  that 
Christ  has  given  himself  a  ransom  for  you,  that 
he  tasted  death  for  you,  and  that  he  is  a  propi- 
tiation for  your  sins. 

If,  then,  your  conscience  is  burdened  with 
the  load  of  its  guilt,  in  order  to  obtain  relief 
you  must,  with  firm  confidence,  cast  yourself 
on  the  atonement  of  Christ  for  pardon,  cheiish- 
ing  the  certain  conviction  that  he  is  both  able 
and  willing  even  now  to  save  yx)u  to  the  utter- 
most :  you  must  from  your  heart  believe  that  all 
your  iniquities  were  laid  upon  the  Son  of  God ; 
that  '*  he  bore  them  in  his  own  body  on  th« 


24  ADMONITORV    COUNSELS. 

tree ;"  that  he  "  loved  you,  and  gave  himself  for 
you"  and  that  consequently  he  will  now  give 
to  you  "  redemption  in  his  blood,  even  the  for- 
giveness of  all  your  sins."  This  is  justifying 
faith  :  in  order  to  exercise  it  you  must  make  a 
vigorous  effort.  Make  the  effort  now.  Try  at 
this  moment  to  believe,  and  to  apply  to  yourself 
the  passages  you  have  just  read.  They  are 
plain  and  intelligible ;  they  are  the  statements 
of  eternal  truth ;  and  you  are  required  to  be- 
lieve them  exactly  in  the  same  manner  that  you 
would  believe  any  other  proposition,  of  the 
truth  of  which  you  are  certain.  Faith  is  not 
enveloped  in  that  mysteriousness  and  difficulty 
which  some  imagine  it  to  possess.  Its  sim- 
plicity is  its  essential  characteristic.  It  is  its 
simplicity,  too,  at  which  multitudes  stumble, 
and  from  which  they  take  occasion  to  excuse 
their  continuance  in  unbelief:  they  cannot  di- 
vest themselves  of  the  impression  that  faith  is 
the  performance  of  some  mighty  and  almost  im- 
practicable achievement ;  whereas  it  is  nothing 
more  than  the  awakened  sinner  giving  full  and 
entire  credit  to  the  plain  and  unequivocal  testi- 
mony which  God  has  given  of  his  Son. 

The  act  of  believing  will,  of  course,  be  more 
or  less  energetic  and  intense,  accordingly  as 
you  feel  the  importance  of  the  proposition  be- 
lieved, and  as  you  perceive  its  bearing  on  your 
own  interests  and  happiness.  The  immediate 
effects  of  faith  will  also  be  proportioned  to  the 
vigour  with  which  it  is  exercised,  and  to  the 
strength  of  previous  convictions.    If  you,  then, 


ADMOMTORV    COUNSELS.  25 

conscious  of  your  guilt,  believe  with  due  energy 
and  intenseness,  that  "  Christ  was  crucified  for 
your  sins,"  and  that  you  "  have  redemption  in 
his  blood,"  you  will  "  have  peace  with  God," 
as  a  direct  and  necessary  consequence.  You 
will  indeed  discover  that  there  is  an  intimate 
connection  between  the  exercise  of  faith,  and 
the  possession  of  peace.  How,  indeed,  can  the 
sinner  any  longer  groan  under  the  burden  of 
his  guilt,  when  he  has  the  persuasion  that 
Christ  has  borne  that  burden  for  him  ?  How 
can  the  self-condemned  penitent  expect  the 
curse  of  the  law  to  be  his  doom,  when  he  be- 
lieves that  Christ  "  has  redeemed  him  from 
that  curse,  by  having  been  made  a  curse  in  his 
stead  ?" 

By  thus  showing  the  connection  which  na- 
turally exists  between  the  exercise  of  faith  and 
the  attainment  of  peace,  let  it  not  be  said  that 
the  agency  of  the  Spirit,  as  "  the  Comforter," 
is  denied  ;  nor  that  the  necessity  of  that  agency 
is  lessened.  The  heavenly  peace  which  calms 
the  sinner's  conscience  is  one  of  the  fruits  of 
the  Spirit,  and  therefore  the  gift  of  God.  But 
God,  in  the  bestowment  of  his  gifts,  requires, 
on  our  part,  the  use  of  means  which  he  him- 
self has  appointed,  and  which  are  also  adapted 
to  their  end.  God,  in  all  his  dispensations, 
acts  rationally,  not  arbitrarily.  There  is  a  con- 
gruity  in  the  operations  of  grace,  as  well  as  in 
the  operations  of  nature.  When  the  penitent 
sinner  believes  that  portion  of  the  divine  testi- 
mony which  is  more  directly  applicable  to  his 


26  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

case,  God  gives  to  that  testimony  a  vitality  and 
a  power  which  render  it  effectual.  Through 
its  medium  he  communicates  the  blessing 
which  it  unfolds  and  promises ;  and  thus  the 
pardoned  rebel,  while  reflecting  on  the  process 
through  which  he  has  passed,  regards  the  ac- 
quirement of  his  peace  as  a  direct  effect  of 
pardon,  and  the  bestowment  of  it  as  absolutely 
divine. 

If,  on  believing  that  Christ  has  borne  all 
your  iniquities,  you  nevertheless  feel  destitute 
of  that  comfort  which  you  were  led  to  expect, 
it  will,  in  this  case,  behoove  you  to  examine 
yourself,  and  to  inquire  whether  you  are  deter- 
mined to  renounce  every  sin,  and  to  sacrifice 
every  object  that  may  interfere  with  your  sal- 
vation. Are  you  certain  that  you  are  not  en- 
deavouring to  compromise  matters  between 
God  and  your  soul  ?  Is  there  no  darling  lust 
which  you  wish  to  retain  ?  no  questionable 
practice  which  you  are  unwilling  to  relinquish  ? 
Be  assured  of  this,  that  nothing  but  a  prompt 
surrender  of  your  whole  heart  to  God  can  se- 
cure his  acceptance  of  it.  If  there  be  not  a 
determination  to  crucify  every  lust,  and  to 
abstain  from  every  transgression,  your  faith, 
however  strong  and  undoubting,  will  be  utterly 
unproductive  of  those  results  which  are  pro- 
mised to  the  sincerely  penitent  believer. 

Should  your  conscience,  however,  testify 
that  the  prevalent  desire  of  your  heart  is  to  be 
cleansed  from  all  sin,  then  let  me  exhort  you 
to  continue  in  the  exercise  of  that  confidence 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  27 

to  which  you  have  attained.  Do  not  murmur 
if  you  do  not  immediately  feel  the  ecstacies  of 
joy ;  be  thankful  if  you  feel  the  calmness  of 
peace  ;  and  if  even  this  be  not  experienced, 
still  hold  fast  the  precious  declaration,  Christ 
has  loved  me,  and  given  himself  for  me.  Cling 
to  the  cross  as  your  safe  and  everlasting  refuge, 
and  say,  "  If  I  perish,  I  will  perish  here." 
Believe  that  there  is  an  infinite  efficacy  in  the 
blood  of  Christ,  and  that  it  availed  for  you, — 
yes,  even  for  you.  The  faith  which  in  its  com- 
mencement may  be  feebie  and  unsteadfast,  will, 
by  repeated  exercise,  be  invigorated  and  es- 
tablished. That  this  may  be  the  result,  con- 
template the  objects  of  faith  :  the  more  clearly 
you  perceive  the  magnitude  and  glory  of  the 
object,  the  more  implicit  and  abiding  will  be 
the  confidence  that  you  will  feel.  Let  your 
thoughts  dwell  on  those  perfections  of  the  Re- 
deemer which  pre-eminently  qualify  him  for 
the  work  which  he  has  accomplished.  Meditate 
on  his  infinite  power,  faithfulness,  and  love.  Me- 
ditate on  the  immaculate  holiness  of  his  nature. 
Remember  that,  invested  as  he  was  with  the 
attributes  of  Deity  as  well  as  of  humanity,  his 
death  could  not  fail  to  answer  the  end  for  which 
it  was  designed;  that  it  was  voluntarily  sub- 
mitted to  by  him,  and  accepted  by  the  Father 
as  a  sacrifice  for  sin  ;  that  it  consequently  was 
an  actual  atonement  for  human  guilt ;  and  an 
atonement  offered  by  a  Being  of  such  dignity 
and  perfection  could  be  nothing  less  than  infi- 
nite in  its  efficacy,  and  therefore  universal  in 


'^8  ADMONITOKV    COUNSELS. 

its  extent.  Accompany  these  meditations  with 
frequent  and  wresthng  prayer  :  at  the  footstool 
of  mercy  plead  the  blood  of  sprinkling, 
plead  the  promises  of  pardon.  God  has 
never  yet  violated  his  word :  be  assured 
that  he  never  will.  Persist  in  prayer,  persist 
in  believing ;  and  speedily  the  darkness  shall 
pass  away,  your  bonds  shall  be  loosened,  your 
sorrows  shall  cease,  and  light,  and  liberty,  and 
joy  shall  take  possession  of  your  soul. 

The  preceding  remarks  will  tend,  I  trust,  to 
relieve  the  minds  of  luo&e  who  are  so  oppressed 
with  a  sense  of  guilt  as  to  imagine  themselves 
excluded  from  mercy,  and  whose  prospects  for 
eternity  are  darkened  by  the  overpowering  in- 
fluence of  despair.  To  yield  to  despair  is  to 
dishonour  the  gospel,  and  to  ruin  your  soul :  it 
is  to  believe  the  false  and  malignant  sugges- 
tions of  the  father  of  lies,  and  to  disbelieve  the 
solemn  assurances  of  the  God  of  truth. 

When  you  see  your  guilt  in  all  its  aggrava- 
tion, it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  you  should 
feel  distressed,  and  even  discouraged.  But  to 
renounce  hope,  to  refuse  consolation,  is  not 
merely  irrational — it  is  criminal.  Trembling 
penitent,  look  to  the  cross.  If  no  other  human 
being  has  equalled  thee  in  the  number  and 
magnitude  of  thy  sins,  if  thou  hast  gained  the 
dreadful  pre-eminence  of  being  the  vilest  trans- 
gressor the  earth  ever  nourished,  still  thou  art 
not  beyond  the  reach  of  mercy:  for  thy  en- 
couragement I  would  remind  thee  of  the  divinely 
attested  fact,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  29 

world  to  save  not  only  sinners  of  an  ordinary 
class,  but  to  save  even  the  "chief." 

Let  it  be  supposed  that  your  rebellion  has 
been  perpetrated  under  circumstances  which 
mark  your  conduct  with  peculiar  baseness  ;  let 
it  be  granted  that  you  have  gone  to  the  furthest 
possible  extreme  in  reckless  and  ungrateful 
opposition  to  God;  yet,  if  you  are  willing  to 
be  reconciled,  he  is  willing  to  pardon.  If  you 
doubt  his  willingness,  you  do  him  an  injustice  ; 
an  injustice  against  which  he  remonstrates : 
"  Come  now  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the 
Lord :  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they 
shall  be  as  white  as  snow  ;  though  they  be  red 
like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool."  Do  not 
suspect  God  to  be  guilty  of  falsehood,  but  be- 
lieve that  he  is  sincere  when  he  says  that  he 
"  is  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that 
all  should  come  to  repentance  ;"  that  he  "  wills 
that  all  men  should  be  saved,  and  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth."  If  you  cannot  take 
his  word,  you  will  surely  credit  his  oath :  "  As 
I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  have  no  pleasure 
in  the  death  of  the  wicked." 

If  indeed  your  guilt  had  been  greater  than 
all  the  guilt  which  has  been  contracted  by  all 
the  generations  of  men,  from  Adam  down  to 
the  last  of  his  descendants,  even  then  there 
would  have  been  no  rational  ground  for  despair. 
The  unequivocal  promises  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  ample  provision  which  it  unfolds,  would 
have  been  more  than  adequate  to  such  an  emer- 
gency.    Though  your  sins  were  more  numer 


30  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

0U8  than  the  atoms  which  compose  the  material 
universe,  though  they  were  blacker  and  more 
horrible  than  the  crimes  which  give  to  hell  all 
its  darkness  and  pollution,  they  could  not  sur- 
pass the  efficacy  of  that  atonement;  for  that 
efficacy  is  infinite  :  they  could  not  extend  be- 
yond the  reach  of  that  intercession,  the  preva- 
lence of  which  is  omnipotent. 

There  is  not  an  argument,  however  plausi- 
ble, by  which  you  may  attempt  to  justify  your 
unbelief,  which  is  not  answered,  refuted,  and 
silenced  by  the  explicit,  unquestionable,  and 
glorious  declaration,  "The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin."  Believe  this, 
despairing  penitent;  believe  i\.for  thyself.  By 
thus  believing,  thy  condition  cannot  be  ren- 
dered worse :  it  may,  it  will  be  rendered  bet- 
ter. Try  the  experiment.  Struggle  to  be  free. 
With  one  bold  effort  venture  to  cast  thy  soul  on 
Jesus  ;  on  him  "  who  is  able  to  save  thee  to  the 
very  uttermost ;"  on  him  who  has  said,  "  Him 
that  cometh  unto  me  /  will  in  no  wise  cast  out." 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  will  be  obvious 
that  justifying  faith  is  your  own  voluntary  act : 
nevertheless,  in  the  exercise  of  it  you  need  the 
assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Faith  is  an  ef- 
fect of  the  Holy  Spirit's  influence  :  it  is  there- 
fore "  the  gift  of  God."  But  in  what  sense  is 
It  a  divine  gift?  Not  surely  in  such  a  sense  as  to 
render  us  merely  passive  machines  in  believing ; 
which,  in  fact,  involves  a  palpable  contradiction. 

The  agency  of  the  Spirit  is  designed  not  to 
supersede  our  own  exertions,  but  to  rouse,  in- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.  31 

vigorate,  and  direct  thera.  Faith  is  "  the  gift 
of  God"  in  the  same  sense,  and  to  the  same 
extent,  as  meekness,  patience,  gentleness,  (fee. 
These,  along  with  faith,  are  declared  to  be 
"  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit."  But  no  one,  savingly- 
enlightened,  will  on  this  account  conclude  that 
he  is  freed  from  the  obligation  of  striving  to  be 
meek,  patient,  and  gentle  ;  neither,  while  dili- 
gently cultivating  these  heavenly  graces,  will 
he  imagine  that  he  implants  them  in  his  heart, 
and  develops  them  in  his  conduct  by  his  own 
unaided  power.  Thus  it  is  with  faith.  It  is 
your  duty  to  endeavour  to  believe  ;  and  while 
making  the  effort,  it  is  your  privilege  to  look 
up  to  God  for  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,  that 
your  understanding  may  be  illuminated,  and 
that  your  heart  may  be  opened  to  receive  the 
truth.  God  bestows  faith  by  removing  spiritual 
insensibility,  darkness,  and  pride ;  by  imparting 
right  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation  ;  by  giving 
a  clear  discernment  of  the  glories  of  Christ,  of 
the  sufficiency  of  the  atonement,  and  of  the  cer- 
tainty of  the  promises.  "  By  the  Spirit"  the 
penitent  is  "  strengthened  with  might  in  the 
inner  man  :"  in  the  power  of  this  might  he  rests 
on  the  atonement,  and  relies  on  the  promises 
for  his  personal  and  present  salvation. 

T  cannot  close  this  chapter  without  express- 
ing my  fears  that  there  are  many  who  join 
Methodist  societies,  and  who  continue  for  years 
in  church  membership,  who  never  obtain,  who 
do  not  even  earnestly  seek  an  assurance  of 
pardon.      Either   they  are    never    thoroughly 


32  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  danger  ;  or  they 
allow  the  impressions  of  their  sinfulness  to  be- 
come extinct ;  or  they  satisfy  themselves  with 
good  desires  and  resolutions,  and  with  the  ob- 
servance of  religious  duties  ;  or  they  perhaps 
suppose  that  their  constitutional  temperament 
does  not  admit  of  their  living  in  the  enjoyment 
of  gospel  privileges.  Reader,  do  you  belong 
to  this  class  of  persons  ?  Are  you  neither  en- 
joying nor  earnestly  seeking  a  clear  sense  of 
the  favour  of  God  ?  And  in  this  state  of  spirit- 
ual deadness  are  you  united,  or  are  you  about 
to  be  united  to  a  Methodist  society?  If  such 
be  your  state,  it  is  truly  awful.  Yes,  yours  is 
an  awful  state.  Either  you  are  a  hypocrite  or 
a  self-deceiver.  Either  you  have  assumed  a 
religious  profession  without  any  desire  after 
salvation,  or  you  are  falsely  reconciling  your 
mind  to  the  absence  of  one  of  the  most  precious 
privileges  which  the  gospel  confers.  Compare 
your  spiritual  attainments  with  the  standard  of 
God's  word,  and  you  will  discover  that  to  expe- 
rience the  cleansing  and  peace-giving  efficacy 
of  the  blood  of  Christ,  to  feel  the  Holy  Spirit 
bearing  witness  with  our  spirit  that  we  are  the 
children  of  God,  are  blessings  placed  within 
the  reach  of  all ;  blessings  which  all  are  re- 
quired to  possess,  and  to  secure  which  every 
one  ought  to  labour  with  assiduous  and  perse- 
vering energy. 

In  wilfully  continuing  destitute  of  the  witness 
of  the  Spirit,  you  are  as  a  Methodist  strangely 
inconsistent.     The  inculcation  of  this  doctrine 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  33 

was  a  striking  peculiarity  in  the  labours  of  the 
Wesleys  and  their  coadjutors ;  and  their  suc- 
cessors have  ever  considered  themselves  bound 
to  give  it  prominence  in  their  discourses.  In 
neglecting  to  realize  this  blessing,  you  are 
therefore  resisting  all  the  appeals  and  conside- 
rations by  which  your  ministers  urge  its  at- 
tainment upon  you ;  you  are  chargeable  with 
acting  in  opposition  to  your  professed  princi- 
ples, and  you  are  pursuing  a  course  which,  if 
continued,  will  conduct  you  to  that  state  of 
false  security  in  which  you  may  have  "  a  name 
to  live,"  while  you  are  in  reality  "  dead." 

Admitting  that  you  are  sincere,  but  that  you 
have  hitherto  been  mistaken  in  your  views  of 
Christian  experience,  remember  that  you  can 
now  no  longer  plead  ignorance  as  your  excuse. 
Having  been  informed  of  the  nature,  and  warned 
of  the  consequences  of  your  error,  it  cannot 
now  be  innocently  entertained.  If  indeed  it  still 
retain  its  darkening  influence  over  you,  you 
will  be  guilty  of  "  receiving  the  grace  of  God 
in  vain."  Religion  is  designed  to  make  you 
happy ;  but  you  cannot  be  religiously  happy 
while  unpardoned  sin  remains  upon  your  con- 
science. Religion  is  designed  to  make  you 
useful ;  but  you  cannot  be  religiously  useful 
unless  you  love  God.  You  cannot  love  God 
unless  you  know  and  feel  that  he  has  first  loved 
you.  So  long,  therefore,  as  you  are  destitute 
of  the  Holy  Spirit's  witness  of  your  adoption, 
you  are  wanting  in  those  qualifications  which 
are  essential  to  a  cheerful  and  acceptable  obe- 
li 


34  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

dience  to  the  divine  commands.  The  obedi- 
ence that  you  may  attempt  to  perform  will  be 
partial,  fluctuating,  and  heartless  ;  it  will  be 
the  constrained  service  of  a  slave,  accompanied 
by  a  spirit  of  bondage  and  of  fear ;  while  its  con- 
taminating influence  will  diffuse  a  spirit  of  luke- 
warmness  among  those  of  your  fellow  Chris- 
tians who  may  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  share  in 
your  intimacy. 

If  then  you  value  your  peace,  if  you  value 
your  soul,  be  determined  never  to  rest  until  you 
have  obtained  a  clear  evidence  of  pardon.  Let 
no  one  persuade  you  that  the  privilege  is  either 
unimportant  or  unnecessary.  Let  neither  the 
devices  of  the  devil,  nor  the  sophistries  of  men, 
nor  the  sluggishness  of  your  own  nature,  de- 
prive you  of  this  invaluable  blessing. 

Reader,  is  this  remonstrance  inapplicable  to 
you  ?  I  mean,  are  you  a  hypocrite  ?  Is  it  true 
that  you  have  dared  to  enter  the  church  of  God 
without  feeling  one  good  desire,  without  form- 
ing one  holy  purpose  ?  No  language  that  I  can 
adopt  can  give  even  the  faintest  delineation  of 
the  folly  and  wickedness  of  your  conduct.  The 
most  fertile  imagination  is  incapable  of  forming 
any  thing  like  an  adequate  conception  of  the 
dreadfulness  of  that  punishment  with  which 
you  will  be  visited,  if  you  persist  in  your  pre- 
sent course.  To  describe  your  doom  I  will 
not,  cannot  attempt.  I  will  only  remind  you, 
that  of  hypocrites  it  is  said,  "  outer  darkness" 
will  be  their  everlasting  habitation  ;  and  weep- 
ing, wailing,  and  gnashing  of  teeth  their  per- 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  35 

petual  employment.  Ponder,  I  beseech  you, 
the  awful  threatenings  of  divine  justice.  Be 
sincere.  Flee  to  the  cross.  Give  your  heart 
to  God,  and  he  will  give  himself  to  you. 


CHAPTER  III. 

ON    SANCTIFICATION. 

I  SHALL  now,  my  dear  reader,  consider  you 
as  having  exercised  that  faith  by  which  you  are 
justified,  and  in  consequence  of  which  you 
have  peace  with  God.  Being  freed  from  the 
condemnation  of  sin,  and  having  a  vivid  per- 
ception of  its  deformity,  you  are,  perhaps,  ready 
-to  conclude  that  it  has  taken  its  final  departure, 
and  that  it  will  never  again  either  distress  or 
alarm  you.  While  I  would  not  needlessly  cast 
a  damp  upon  your  spirits.  Christian  fidelity 
requires  me  to  admonish  you,  that  you  are  not, 
from  your  present  happy  feelings,  to  infer  that 
the  work  of  salvation  is  completed :  the  most 
arduous  and  important  portion  of  it  is  only 
commenced. 

Having  obtained  the  blessing  of  justification, 
you  must  now  labour  after  sanctification.  In  a 
measure,  you  are  already  sanctified.  Your 
heart  is  changed  ;  you  hate  sin  ;  you  love  God. 
Nevertheless,  you  feel  your  need  of  a  higher 
state  of  purity.  This  necessity  of  a  more  en- 
tire purification  will  be  felt  the  more  strongly, 


36  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

as  you  become  better  acquainted  with  yourself, 
and  with  the  lofty  and  spiritual  requirements 
of  the  gospel.  Nor  must  you  allow  your  mind 
to  be  overwhelmed  either  with  astonishment  or 
despair,  if  you  should  shortly  feel  the  workings 
of  inbred  corruption.  It  is  more  than  probable 
that  you  will  be  harassed  by  wandering 
thoughts,  and  chilled  by  cold  affections ;  that 
unholy  desires  and  evil  tempers  will  struggle 
for  the  ascendency  ;  that  you  will  have  to  com- 
plain of  short-comings  in  devotion,  and  of  luke- 
warmness  and  unfaithfulness  in  the  service  of 
God. 

In  your  happiest  and  holiest  state  of  feeling 
vou  will,  indeed,  lie  prostrate  at  the  footstool 
of  mercy,  acknowledging  that  you  are  an  "  un- 
profitable servant,"  and  regarding  yourself  as 
"  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints."  This  kind 
of  humiliation  is,  however,  widely  different 
from  that  which  arises  from  the  conscious  and 
wilful  neglect  of  duty,  or  from  the  allowed  pre- 
valence of  lukewarm  affections.  The  humilia- 
tion which  is  felt  under  such  circumstances  is 
necessarily  attended  with  doubt,  self-condem- 
nation, and  discouragement ;  while  that  which 
is  cherished  by  the  faithful  follower  of  Christ 
is  connected  with  a  clear  manifestation  of  the 
divine  favour,  and  is  perfectly  consistent  with 
the  highest  confidence,  and  with  the  most 
abundant  joy. 

It  is  not  to  be  expected,  that  in  the  com- 
mencement of  a  religious  course,  there  should 
be  all  the  maturity  and  strength  of  a  more  ad- 


ADMOMTORY    COUNSELS.  37 

vanced  stage  of  religious  experience.  Faith, 
in  its  first  exercises,  is  frequently  feeble  and 
fluctuating  :  so  long  as  this  is  the  case,  conso- 
lation cannot  abound.  Hope  will  be  mingled 
with  fear.  Sin,  though  it  will  not  absolutely 
reign,  will  painfully  harass  ;  so  much  so,  that 
at  times  the  young  convert  may  be  led  to  doubt 
whether  he  has  ever  been  made  a  partaker  of 
the  grace  of  God. 

Whatever  may  be  the  peculiarities  of  early 
religious  experience — whether  faith,  in  its  com- 
mencement, be  feeble,  or  whether  it  be  vigorous 
— it  is  plainly  the  duty  of  every  one  who  pro- 
fesses attachment  to  Christ,  to  press  after  the 
highest  attainments  in  holiness.  He  who  is 
born  of  God,  and  who  has  received  the  Spirit 
of  adoption,  hungers  and  thirsts  after  righteous- 
ness. He  is  impelled  to  the  pursuit  of  it  by  the 
hallowing  influence  of  the  cross,  and  by  the 
constraining  power  of  divine  love.  The  cross 
has  given  him  so  strong  an  impression  of  the 
evil  of  sin  as  to  cause  him  to  loathe  it,  and  in- 
stinctively to  seek  its  extermination  from  his 
heart.  The  love  of  God  in  the  bestowment  of 
pardon  has  so  afl^ected  him,  that,  from  a  princi- 
ple of  gratitude,  he  feels  bound  to  consecra  e 
all  his  ransomed  powers  to  the  service  of  Him 
who  bought  him  with  his  blood.  As  a  natural 
consequence,  therefore,  of  his  reconciliation  to 
God,  he  struggles  for  an  entire  freedom  from 
sin,  and  aspires  after  a  perfect  conformity  to 
the  divine  law. 
.It  is  in  this  entire  freedom  from  sin,  and  io 


36  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

this  perfect  conformity  to  the  divine  law,  .hat 
perfected  sanctification  essentially  consists.  It 
is  supreme  love  to  God,  and  universal  benevo- 
lence to  man.  When  these  great  principles 
are  implanted  in  the  heart,  they  ensure  the 
performance  of  every  Christian  duty,  and  the 
development  of  every  Christian  virtue. 

He  who  supremely  loves  God,  pants  after 
him,  delights  in  him,  trusts  in  him,  and  sub- 
mits to  him.  He  stands  in  awe  of  the  divine 
majesty ;  he  is  filled  with  reverence,  and  sunk 
into  the  depths  of  self-abasement,  when  he 
contemplates  the  immaculate  holiness  and 
boundless  sovereignty  of  Jehovah.  He  lives 
in  the  spirit  of  devotion.  The  service  of  God 
is  his  delightful  employment,  and  the  glory  of 
God  his  perpetual  aim.  The  obedience  which 
he  performs  is  unreserved  and  universal ;  it  is 
rendered  with  the  whole  heart,  and  it  has  re- 
spect unto  all  the  divine  commandments.  It 
is  evinced  by  self-government  and  self-denial ; 
the  appetites  are  in  subjection ;  the  flesh  is 
crucified  with  the  affections  and  lusts.  It  in- 
cludes deadness  to  the  world,  a  holy  superi- 
ority to  its  cares  and  pleasures,  and  a  capabil- 
ity of  attending  to  its  concerns  with  a  mind  so 
habitually  stayed  upon  God  as  to  be  kept  in 
perfect  peace.  Thus  the  sanctified  believer 
lives  to  God,  he  walks  with  God,  his  soul 
centres  in  God.  From  God  his  happiness  is 
continually  drawn,  and  to  his  authority  he  con- 
tinually refers.  He  therefore  orders  his  con- 
versation aright.     Prayer  and  praise,  faith  and 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  39 

loA'e,  constitute  the  elements  of  his  spiritual 
existence.  Sustained  by  divine  power,  and 
guided  by  divine  wisdom,  he  steadfastly  pur- 
sues the  narrow  path,  and  daily  increases  in 
meetnessforthe  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 
That  entire  devotedness  to  God  which  is  an 
in7ariable  characteristic  of  sanctification,  will 
manifest  itself  by  zealous  endeavours  to  pro- 
mole  the  best  interests  of  man.  He  who  loves 
God  with  all  his  heart,  loves  his  neighbour  as 
himself.  He  cherishes  feelings  of  disinterest- 
ed kindness  toward  every  human  being.  "  As 
he  has  opportunity  he  does  good  unto  all  men, 
especially  unto  them  that  are  of  the  household 
of  faith."  The  interests  of  the  church  of  God 
lie  near  to  his  heart.  The  prosperity  of  the 
church  he  makes  the  subject  of  unceasing 
prayer,  and  the  object  of  strenuous  and  perse- 
vering effort.  Enjoying,  as  he  does,  the  bless- 
edness of  religion,  he  longs  to  be  the  medium 
of  communicating  its  blessedness  to  others.  In 
whatever  department  of  usefulness  he  may  be 
qualified  and  called  to  act,  he  performs  the 
duties  of  it  cheerfully.  Whatever  powers  or 
resources  he  may  possess,  he  regards  as  talents 
committed  to  his  trust,  and  for  which  he  will 
be  required  to  give  an  account ;  he  consequently 
feels  bound  to  employ  them  for  the  good  of 
others,  and  for  the  glory  of  God.  In  his  la- 
bours of  love  he  is  not  prompted  by  moment- 
ary impulses  ;  he  is  governed  by  principle ; 
he  acts  from  convictions  of  duty ;  and  while 
free  from  the  guilt  of  lukewarmness,  his  zeal 


40  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

has  a  steadiness  and  consistency  of  character 
which  give  additional  value  and  efficiency  to 
all  its  exertions. 

It  might  here  be  considered  unnecessary  to 
state  that  he  whose  heart  expands  with  bene- 
volence, will  regulate  his  conduct  by  the  dic- 
tates of  justice.  "  Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his 
neighbour  ;"  it  eradicates  selfishness,  and  sub- 
stitutes for  it  a  well-regulated  and  disinterested 
self-love.  It  does  not  annihilate  that  desire 
after  happiness  which  forms  a  part  of  our  na- 
ture, but  so  directs  its  operations  as  to  render 
the  gratification  of  it  consistent  with  a  proper 
regard  to  the  rightful  claims  of  our  fellow-men. 
It  engraves  deeply  on  the  heart  that  golden 
rule  of  equity,  "AH  things  whatsoever  ye  would 
that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them."  The  sanctified  Christian  takes  this 
precept  for  his  guide.  He  embodies  it  in  all 
his  proceedings.  He  conforms  to  it  even  when 
his  present  interests,  or  his  future  advantage, 
might  seem  to  require  a  different  course  of  con- 
duct. Actuated  by  this  ennobling  principle,  no 
prospect  of  emolument  will  induce  him  to 
commit  an  act  of  injustice,  no  assurance  of 
impunity  will  render  him  dishonest.  He  will 
abhor  duplicity  and  meanness.  In  all  his 
words  and  in  all  his  actions  there  will  be  a 
manifest  kindness  and  sincerity  which  will  win 
confidence ;  a  high  and  holy  sense  of  honour 
which  will  command  respect.  Piety,  justice, 
and  benevolence  form  the  basis  of  his  cha- 
racter :  in  the  development  of  these  great  princi- 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  41 

pies  he  will  adorn  the  gospel,  and  recommend 
its  claims. 

While  sanctification  includes  a  strict  ad- 
herence to  the  rules  of  uprightness,  it  condemns 
that  unamiable  sternness  with  which  unbending 
integrity  is  too  often  associated.  It  abases 
pride,  and  rectifies  the  temper.  In  order  to  be 
holy  it  is  as  necessary  to  be  humble  and  meek, 
as  it  is  to  be  truthful  and  honest.  He  who  is 
sanctified  is  gentle,  patient,  and  forgiving.  He 
is  free  from  discontent,  not  only  when  circum- 
stances are  favourable  to  his  interests,  and  ac- 
cording to  his  wishes ;  but  under  trials  and 
disappointments  he  suppresses  every  murmur- 
ing thbught,  and  yields  a  childlike  submission 
to  the  will  of  God.  He  puts  away  anger,  bit- 
terness, wrath,  and  malice  ;  not  only  when  all 
with  whom  he  is  connected  act  toward  him  in 
the  spirit  of  equity  and  of  kindness,  but  when 
injury  is  inflicted  upon  him,  when  insult  is  of- 
fered, when  his  benefits  are  repaid  with  ingrat- 
itude, when  his  motives  are  misconstrued,  and 
his  reputation  slandered :  it  is  under  such 
circumstances  as  these  that  the  sanctified 
Christian  exhibits  the  perfection  of  holiness, 
by  the  exercise  of  forbearance,  and  by  evincing 
a  readiness  to  forgive.  He  loves  his  enemies ; 
he  does  not  allow  himself  to  exaggerate  their 
misconduct ;  he  cherishes  toward  them  no  re- 
sentment ;  he  retaliates  not  for  the  injuries  he 
has  received ;  he  overcomes  evil  with  good ; 
he  prays  for  them  that  curse  him,  and  blesses 
them  that  despitefuUy  use  him. 


42  ADMONITORV    COUNSELS. 

In  a  word,  sanetification  consists  in  the 
manifestation  of  that  love  which  "  sufFereih  long 
and  is  kind,  which  envieth  not,  vaunteth  not 
itself,  and  which  is  not  puffed  up  ;  which  doth 
not  behave  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  her 
own,  is  not  easily  provoked,  and  thinketh  no 
evil ;  which  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but 
rejoiceth  in  the  truth ;  which  beareth  all 
things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things, 
and  endureth  all  things."*  Sanetification  con- 
sists in  bringing  forth  "  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit, 
which  are  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentle- 
ness, goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance." 
It  is  "  adding  to  our  faith,  fortitude ;  and  to  forti- 
tude, knowledge  ;  and  to  knowledge,  tempe- 
rance ;  and  to  temperance,  patience  ;  and  to 
patience,  godliness  ;  and  to  godliness,  brotherly- 
kindness  ;  and  to  brotherly-kindness,  love."t 
It  is  the  possession  of  that  "  wisdom  which 
is  from  above ;  which  is  first  pure,  then 
peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated,  full 
of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality, 
and  without  hypocrisy." 

If  then  you  wish  thoroughly  to  understand 
the  nature,  and  fully  to  realize  the  blessing,  of 
sanetification,  study  the  passages  you  have  just 
read.   Contemplate  the  virtues  and  duties  which 

*  The  author  would  strongly  recommend  to  the  perusal 
of  his  readers  that  admirable  work,  "  Christian  Charity 
explained,"  by  the  Rev.  J.  A.  James. 

+  This  passage  is  beautifully  illustrated  in  "  Ch.-istian 
Characteristics,"  by  the  Rev.  T.  Lewis  :  a  publication  of 
the  Tract  Society. 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  43 

tliey  enumerate  ;  and  remember  that  sanctifica- 
tion  is  the  unceasing  cultivation  of  these  virtues, 
and  the  faithful  performance  of  these  duties. 

A  calm  consideration  of  the  preceding  quota- 
tions vv^ill  convince  you  that  spiritual  pride  and 
self-sufficiency  form  no  part  of  Christian  holi- 
ness ;  but  that  humility  is  one  of  its  essential 
ingredients,  and  that  this  heavenly  virtue  main- 
tains the  most  dominant  influence  in  the  heart 
of  him  who  is  perfected  in  love.  In  the  deport- 
ment of  the  sanctified  Christian  there  is  no 
assumption  of  superiority ;  nothing  w^hich 
seems  to  say  to  his  fellow  Christian,  "  Stand 
ofl^,  for  I  am  holier  than  thou  ;"  on  the  contrary, 
"  in  lowliness  of  mind  he  esteems  others  better 
than  himself,"  and  feels  willing  to  sit  at  the 
feet  of  the  meanest  of  Christ's  followers,  that 
he  may  be  stimulated  by  their  example,  and 
edified  by  their  admonitions. 

The  preceding  statements  and  quotations 
warrant  the  conclusion  that  sanctification  is 
not  merely  a  happy  state  of  feeling,  but  that  it 
is  also  a  course  of  holy  conduct.  It  is  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other  exclusively,  but  a  union 
of  both.  I  am  particularly  anxious  to  press 
this  point  upon  your  attention,  because  there 
is,  I  think,  reason  to  fear  that  some  persons 
have  but  partial  and  contracted  views  ov,  the 
subject.  They  seem  to. imagine  that  sanctifi- 
cation consists  simply  in  the  enjoyment  of 
gospel  privileges :  at  least  they  do  not  suffi 
ciently  keep  in  mind  that  it  essentially  in- 
cludes the  performance  of  gospel  duties.     By 


44  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

some  it  is  supposed  to  be  identified  with  a  high 
degree  of  excitement,  the  lessening  of  which 
is  regarded  as  the  entire  loss  of  a  blessing 
which  they  thought  they  had  permanently  se- 
cured. Whereas  the  change  may  be  nothing 
more  than  the  operation  of  physical  causes 
producing  their  necessary  results,  while  the 
heart  may  still  retain  a  fixed  hatred  to  sin,  and 
be  fixed  in  its  purpose  of  entire  devotedness  to 
God.  Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  the  believer 
is  ever  to  content  himself  with  the  absence  of 
that  peace  and  joy  which  are  the  fruits  of  the 
Spirit,  and  which,  therefore,  may  and  ought  to 
be  continually  possessed.  What  I  mean  is, 
that  in  order  to  be  sanctified,  it  is  not  needful 
to  be  always  in  ecstasies.  Perpetual  ecstasy 
is  in  the  present  state  impossible ;  nor,  if  pos- 
sible, would  it  be  desirable  ;  its  constant  prev- 
alence would  unfit  us  for  the  ordinary  duties 
of  life,  and  would,  probably,  by  exhausting  the 
powers  of  nature,  prematurely  terminate  our 
period  of  probation. 

When  the  Christian,  deeply  engaged  in  the 
exercises  of  prayer,  faith,  and  love,  receives 
such  manifestations  of  the  divine  glory  as 
almost  overpower  his  soul,  he  would  fain  con- 
tinue in  such  a  frame  as  this,  he  would  retain 
for  ever  this  superabundance  of  joy.  He  finds, 
however,  that,  like  Peter,  he  must  descend 
from  the  mount ;  not  to  be  deprived  of  the  pre- 
sence and  friendship  of  his  divine  Master,  but 
to  share  in  his  sorrows  and  temptations,  and  to 
follow  him  in  Ijis  course  of  active  benevolence 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  45 

and  zeal.  The  Christian  regards  these  special 
visitations  from  heaven,  as  designed  to  invigo- 
^rate  him  for  future  conflict,  and  to  fit  him  for 
future  duty ;  as  intended  to  prepare  him  for 
suffering  and  self-denial,  and  to  qualify  him  for 
more  arduous  and  efficient  labours  in  the  cause 
of  his  Redeemer. 

That  excitement  w^hich  is  genuine  has  a  pu- 
rifying and  humbling,  as  w^ell  as  elevating,  in- 
fluence. Its  effects  are  not  transient,  but  per 
manent.  It  is  not  the  effervescence  of  passion  ; 
it  is  the  operation  of  principle.  It  is  the  power 
of  truth  acting  upon  the  sensibilities  and  affec- 
tions of  the  heart.  It  is  the  result  of  divine 
agency.  The  feelings  it  produces  are  conse- 
quently as  solemn  as  they  are  delightful,  and 
as  holy  as  they  are  powerful. 

In  the  pursuit  of  holiness  aim  at  nothing  less 
than  a  full  conformity  to  the  gospel  standard. 
This  standard  requires  you  to  surrender  your 
whole  heart  to  God,  and  to  consecrate  all  your 
powers  to  his  service.  This  is  Christian  per- 
fection. Angelic  perfection  you  cannot  acquire. 
Adamic  perfection  you  cannot  recover.  But 
Christian  perfection  is  attainable  by  all ;  unless, 
indeed,  God  has  enjoined  precepts  which  he 
never  intended  his  people  to  obey,  and  given 
promises  which  he  never  intended  to  perform. 
Those  who  oppose  this  great  truth  confine  their 
attention  too  much  to  the  total  depravity,  and 
consequent  moral  impotence  of  man  ;  and  lose 
sight  of  the  omnipotence  of  God,  the  all-suffi- 
ciency of  his  grace,  the  unbounded  efficacy  of 


46  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

the  Saviour's  atonement,  and  the  equal  preva- 
lence of  his  intercession.  With  God  all  things 
are  possible.  There  is  no  enmity,  however 
bitter,  which  he  cannot  subdue  ;  no  heart,  how- 
ever hard,  which  he  cannot  soften ;  no  pride, 
however  lofty,  which  he  cannot  abase  ;  no  pol- 
lution, however  foul,  which  he  cannot  cleanse. 
But  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony :  what 
saith  the  Scripture  ?  What  are  the  divine  re- 
quirements and  promises  on  this  all-important 
subject?  For  by  these  must  our  convictions, 
our  hopes,  and  our  efforts  be  governed.  Give 
your  prayerful  consideration  to  the  following 
passages  of  God's  word  ;  and  the  result  will,  I 
doubt  not,  be  a  stronger  persuasion  than  you 
have  hitherto  cherished  of  the  reality  and  at- 
tainableness  of  Christian  perfection  : — "  Thou 
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  mind,  and  with  all  thy  soul, 
and  with  all  thy  strength ;  and  thy  neighbour 
as  thyself."  "  The  Lord  thy  Grod  shall  circum- 
cise thine  heart,  to  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul." 
"  I  will  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and 
ye  shall  be  clean ;  from  all  your  filthiness 
will  I  cleanse  you."  "  Sin  shall  not  have  do- 
minion over  you."  "  Being  made  free  from 
sin,  ye  have  your  fruit  unto  holiness."  "  Be 
ye  filled  with  the  Spirit."  "  Let  us  go  on  unto 
perfection."  "  Having  these  promises,  let  us 
cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh 
and  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of 
God."     "  Praying  fervently  that  ye  may  stand 


ADMONITORY     COUNSELS.  47 

perfect  and  complete  in  all  the  will  of  God." 
"And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you 
wholly ;  and  may  your  whole  spirit,  soul,  and 
body  be  preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming 
of  Christ.  Faithful  is  he  that  calleth  you,  who 
also  will  do  it."  "  He  is  faithful  and  just  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness."  To 
save  the  trouble  of  multiplying  quotations,  I 
refer  you  to  Luke  i,  6 ;  Acts  xi,  24 ;  Phil,  ii, 
15;  2  Peter  iii,  14;  Ephes.  v,  26,  27;  Col. 
i,  22;  1  Thess.  iii,  13;  Titus  ii,  12-14; 
2  Thess.  iii,  3  ;  Heb.  xiii,  21. 

If  the  exhortations,  prayers,  and  promises 
which  I  have  just  quoted  and  referred  to,  do 
not  prove  the  possibility  of  our  being  per- 
fected in  holiness,  they  prove  nothing.  Let 
all  these  passages  be  examined,  in  connection 
with  the  verses  which  immediately  precede 
and  follow  them,  so  that  their  general  scope 
and  original  application  may  be  ascertained ; 
let  them  be  diligently  compared  with  other 
passages  of  the  same  import,  and  with  the 
tenor  of  the  Scriptures ;  and  it  will,  I  think,  be 
found,  by  every  prayerful  and  candid  inquirer, 
that  to  love  God  with  all  the  heart,  and  to 
serve  him  constantly  with  a  willing  mind,  are 
obligations  which  it  is  practicable  for  every 
Christian  to  fulfil,  and  privileges  which  it  is 
possible  for  every  Christian  to  enjoy. 

By  Christian  perfection,  we  do  not  mean 
a  perfection  that  is  incapable  of  improve- 
ment. Its  invariable  and  leading  characteristic 
is   a    daily   advancement    in    practical    piety. 


48  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

Sanctification,  in  the  highest  degree  of  it,  is 
essentially  a  progressive  work.  Its  operations, 
in  this  respect,  are  in  perfect  accordance  with 
the  constitution  of  the  human  mind.  It  is  by 
a  gradual  process  that  knowledge  is  acquired, 
and  the  intellectual  faculties  invigorated.  The 
faith  and  love  of  the  Christian  gradually  in- 
crease ;  "  he  grows  in  grace ;"  "  he  goes  on  from 
strength  to  strength  ;"  he  "  abounds  more  and 
more"  in  the  fruits  of  righteousness.  The  prin- 
ciples of  holiness  gain  maturity  and  predomi- 
nance by  continued  cultivation  ;  and  religious 
duties  acquire  the  power  and  fixedness  of  habits 
by  oft-repeated  and  persevering  exercise.  As 
the  understanding  is  more  fully  enlightened,  its 
discernment  of  the  things  of  God  is  rendered 
more  distinct  and  comprehensive.  As  the 
heart  receives  increasingly  powerful  impres- 
sions of  divine  truth,  it  becomes  the  more 
firmly  "  established  with  grace."  Thus  is 
the  character  formed  and  perfected ;  thus  is 
it  made  to  exhibit,  in  delightful  proportion, 
the  features  of  Christian  excellence,  and  to 
shine  forth  in  all  the  beauties  of  holiness. 

The  progressiveness  of  sanctification  is  in 
no  way  inconsistent  with  those  powerful 
operations  of  the  Spirit  with  which  the  be- 
liever is  at  times  favoured,  by  which  his 
remaining  corruptions  receive  an  instanta- 
neous death-blow,  and  his  soul  is  filled  with 
the  purity  and  joy  of  perfect  love.  While  it  is 
maintained  that  intellectual  improvement  is 
mainly  and  necessarily  progressive,  it  must  also 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  49 

be  admitted  that  the  human  mind  is  capable  of 
receiving  impressions  which  produce  an  instan- 
taneous change  in  its  conA'ictions,  reversing 
some  of  its  strongest  feelings,  and  removing 
the  most  deeply  rooted  prejudices.  By  an  un- 
expected turn  of  thought,  a  question  which  has 
long  been  the  subject  of  toilsome  and  perplex- 
ing investigation  may  be  suddenly  divested  of 
all  its  difficulties,  and  be  exhibited  in  its  true 
nature  and  bearings,  so  that  the  future  contem- 
plation of  it  shall  be  attended  with  the  light  and 
certainty  of  truth.  If  then  there  be  nothing 
either  irrational  or  unphilosophical  in  the  sup- 
position that  the  human  mind  may  undergo  a 
sudden  revolution  of  opinion  or  of  feeling  in  re- 
ference to  sublunary  matters,  where  is  the  ab- 
surdity of  believing  it  possible  for  God  to  com- 
municate instantaneously  such  a  measure  of 
divine  influence  as  shall  at  once  destroy  the 
body  of  sin,  and  fill  the  heart  with  love  and  de- 
votedness  to  himself?  If,  in  one  hour,  the 
partially  sanctified  Christian  is  lamenting  the 
lukewarnmess  of  his  affection,  the  petulance 
of  his  temper,  and  the  unfaithfulness  of  his  ser- 
vices, why  should  it  bo  deemed  a  thing  incred- 
ible or  impossible,  that  in  the  next  hour  God 
should  put  an  end  to  these  complainings  by 
cleansing  the  soul  from  all  unrighteousness,  by 
strengthening  it  with  all  might,  and  by  giving 
the  principles  and  purposes  of  obedience  an 
absolute  dominion  1 

While  thus  maintaining  the  possibility  of  an 
instantaneous  purification  of  the  heart,  I  am  by 
4 


50  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

no  means  prepared  to  contend  that  this  is  the 
precise  and  only  mode,  or  the  one  which  God 
invariably  and  universally  adopts  in  accomplish- 
ing the  designs  of  his  mercy.  Undoubtedly 
there  must  be  a  point  of  time  in  the  history  of 
every  believer  when  sin  ceases  to  exist  in  the 
heart,  and  when  holiness  commences  its  reign  ; 
but  in  some,  sin  may  have  been  weakened  by 
a  process  so  gradual  that  the  moment  of  its  final 
extinction  may  not  be  perceptible.  Neither 
may  the  interesting  crisis  be  always  attended 
with  those  powerful  manifestations  with  which 
some  are  so  happily  favoured.  That  God  who 
knows  our  frame,  our  wants,  and  our  circum- 
stances, may  so  diversify  the  operations  of  his 
grace,  as  to  adapt  them  to  our  peculiarities  of 
temperament  and  character.  Provided  we  ob- 
tain the  blessing,  the  mode  of  its  bestowment 
is  of  little  importance. 

Be  determined,  therefore,  to  labour  after  a 
perfect  conformity  to  the  image  of  Christ ;  fix 
your  heart  on  the  attainment  of  this  exalted 
privilege ;  let  your  efl^orts  be  strenuous  and 
unremitting ;  never  rest  until  you  have  a  dis- 
tinct consciousness  that  you  love  God  with  a 
supreme  and  all-absorbing  affection.  If  you 
aim  at  less  than  this,  your  spiritual  energies 
will  languish :  instead  of  zeal  there  will  be 
lukewarmness  ;  instead  of  devotion,  formality ; 
instead  of  advancement  in  piety,  there  will  be 
manifest  declension.  If  you  intend  to  be  faith- 
ful to  yourself,  and  to  your  God,  you  will  aim 
at  perfection  ;  if  you  wish  to  honour  him  who 


•/' 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  51 

loved  you,  and  gave  himself  for  you,  you  will 
aim  at  perfection  ;  if  you  desire  to  be  happy  in 
your  own  soul,  and  to  be  a  blessing  to  the 
church  and  to  the  world,  you  will  aim  at  per- 
fection ;  if  you  have  "  respect  unto  the  recom- 
pense of  reward," — in  short,  if,  as  a  Christian, 
you  are  sincere, — you  will  aim  at  perfection. 

You  scarcely  need  to  be  informed  that,  in 
the  pursuit  of  this  great  blessing,  diligence  in 
the  means  of  grace  is  imperatively  requisite. 
But  you  must  never  lose  sight  of  the  all-import- 
ant fact,  that  faith  is  the  direct  instrument  of 
your  sanctification.  The  Christian  "  lives  by 
faith  ;"  he  "  walks  by  faith  ;"  his  heart  is  "  puri- 
fied by  faith ;"  he  is  "  sanctified  by  faith  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus."  If  this  truth  had  not  been 
thus  explicitly  stated,  it  must  have  been  inferred 
from  those  declarations  which  inform  us  that 
sanctification  is  the  work  of  a  divine  agent ; 
that  it  is  also  the  subject  of  promise  ;  and  that 
it  is  accomplished  in  us  through  the  mediation 
of  the  Son  of  God. 

That  you  may  properly  exercise  the  faith 
which  sanctifies,  your  attention  must  first  be 
directed  to  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
whose  prerogative  it  is  to  cleanse  the  heart 
from  sin,  and  to  make  it  his  constant  habitation. 
You  must  have  the  assurance  that  the  Spirit  of 
God  is  fully  competent  to  the  work  he  has  un- 
dertaken ;  that,  as  his  resources  are  inexhaust- 
ible, he  is  able  to  supply  the  most  pressing 
wants,  to  satisfy  the  most  enlarged  desires ; 
that,  as  his  energy  is  infinite,  he  is  able  to  con 


52  ADMONITORV    COUNSEL^. 

querthe  most  formidable  enemies,  and  to  eradi 
cate  the  foulest  and  most  deeply  rooted  cor- 
ruption. Cherish,  therefore,  an  undoubting 
conviction  of  the  all-sufficiency  of  divine  in- 
fluence ;  upon  this  influence  place  your  entire 
dependance  ;  submit  yourself  at  once  to  its 
control ;  and  with  wrestling  and  unceasing 
prayer,  beseech  God  to  give  you  his  Holy  Spirit 
in  all  the  power  and  plentitude  of  his  sanctify- 
ing operations. 

Your  faith  must  also  rest  on  the  promises  of 
sanctification.  You  must  meditate  upon  them, 
mention  them,  and  plead  them  at  the  throne  of 
grace.  With  bold  but  humble  importunity, 
you  must  not  only  implore  the  fulfilment  of 
them,  but  with  confidence  expect  that  fulfilment. 
Contemplating  the  fulness,  the  freeness,  and 
the  certainty  of  these  promises,  they  must  be 
the  objects  of  a  firm  reliance,  and  the  founda- 
tion of  a  steadfast  hope  ;  they  must,  in  fact,  be 
regarded  as  the  engagements  of  Him  who  can- 
not lie.  Do  not  question  either  the  faithfulness 
or  the  mercy  of  God.  Hold  fast  to  the  persua- 
sion that  he  is  not  only  willing  to  sanctify  you, 
but  that  it  is  his  will  you  should  be  sanctified. 
Your  sanctification  is  not  only  an  event  to  which 
he  feels  no  repugnance ;  it  is  an  event  on 
which  his  holy  and  benevolent  mind  is  intently 
fixed ;  it  is  an  event  which  he  has  pledged 
himself  to  accomplish  for  all  who  yield  them- 
selves up  to  his  government  and  service.  Sol- 
emnly dedicate  all  your  powers  to  God.  Sur- 
render your  whole  heart  to  him  ;  ofier  it  him 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  53 

with  all  its  wanderings,  with  all  its  pride,  and 
with  all  its  remaining  corruption.  He  will 
prove  himself  faithful ;  he  will  be  true  to  his 
word  :  only  believe  ;  all  things  are  possible  to 
him  that  believeth. 

Gospel  promises  are  fulfilled,  and  gospel  bles- 
sings are  communicated,  only  through  Christ. 
To  Christ  crucified,  to  Christ  glorified,  must  you 
therefore  look  as  the  only  medium  of  sanctifi- 
cation.  It  is  out  ot  his  fulness  that  grace  is 
imparted  ;  it  is  in  consequence  of  his  interces- 
sion that  believers  are  "  endued  with  power 
from  on  high."  His  death  purchased  your  re- 
storation not  only  to  the  favour,  but  also  to  the 
image  of  God.  The  object  of  his  advocacy  is 
to  invest  his  people  with  those  benefits  which 
his  death  procured.  If,  then,  you  wish  to  be 
fully  sanctified,  you  must  repose  your  confidence 
in  the  great  Mediator  ;  regarding  him  as  the 
Head  of  the  church,  into  whose  hands  the  dis- 
pensation of  the  Spirit  is  committed ;  and  be- 
lieving that  his  blood  purgeth  the  conscience, 
not  only  from  the  guilt,  but  also  from  the 
defilement,  of  dead  works ;  and  that,  by  the 
agency  of  the  Spirit,  he  will,  in  his  own  right, 
reign  without  a  rival  in  the  hearts  of  his  people. 
"  He  gave  himself  for  them,  that  he  might 
redeem  them  from  all  iniquity,  and  that  he 
might  purify  them  unto  himself  a  peculiar  peo- 
ple, zealous  of  good  works."  They  are  '•  sancti- 
fied in  his  name  ;"  and  his  power  resting  upon 
them  enables  them  to  glory  in  their  infirmities, 
and  to  consecrate  themselves  fully  to  his  service. 


54  ADMOMTORY    COUNSELS. 

How  glorious  are  the  objects,  how  ample  the 
grounds,  of  that  faith  by  which  the  heart  is 
purified!  Here  is  an  Agent  who  is  omnipo- 
tent ;  here  are  promises  which  are  immutable ; 
here  is  a  Mediator  who  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever.  An  abundant  provision 
of  spiritual  blessings  is  here  offered  to  our 
acceptance,  and  placed  within  our  reach. 
Perfect  holiness  is  purchased,  is  promised,  is 
ready  to  take  possession  of  our  hearts,  that  it 
may  diffuse  its  hallowing  influence  over  us, 
and  develop  its  legitimate  fruits  in  our  conduct. 
It  can  neither  be  in  accordance  with  the  divine 
will,  nor  can  it  be  promotive  of  the  divine 
glory,  that  sin  should  remain  in  us  to  darken 
our  perceptions  and  to  interrupt  our  joy.  If 
indeed  we  are  required  to  love  God  with  all 
our  hearts,  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and 
yet  fail  to  conform  to  this  elevated  standard  of 
piety,  the  failure  cannot  be  well-pleasing  to 
Him  who  has  said,  "  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am 
holy."  Sin,  in  all  its  modifications,  is  un- 
changeably opposed  to  the  will  of  God ;  he 
looks  upon  its  feeblest  operations  with  ab- 
horrence :  it  must,  therefore,  be  his  will  concern- 
ing us,  that  we  should  be  free  from  sin,  and 
that  not  in  a  year  or  in  a  month  hence,  but  to- 
day ;  if,  in  the  present  hour,  or  in  the  present 
moment,  the  power  of  sin  could  be  overthrown, 
and  the  heart  filled  with  purity  and  love,  there 
would  surely  be  nothing  in  such  an  event, 
either  dishonourable  to  God,  or  injurious  to 
ourselves.     And  is  it  not  possible  ?    Who  shall 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS  55 

limit  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  ?  Is  not  the 
fountain  always  open  ;  open  for  sin  and  for  un- 
cleanness  ?  It  is  open,  it  is  continually  free 
of  access  ;  and  if  we  do  not  experience  the  full 
extent  of  its  efficacy,  it  is  because  of  our  un- 
belief. It  is  unbelief  that  gives  strength  to 
corruption,  that  gives  distraction  to  our  prayers, 
and  coldness  to  our  affections.  Endeavour 
then  to  believe.  Contemplate  the  power 
of  the  Spirit :  dwell  on  the  certainty  of  the 
promises:  appropriate  Christ  to  yourself  as  your 
Advocate  with  the  Father  ;  and  believe  that  he 
is  not  only  able,  but  willing  and  ready,  to 
glorify  himself  by  effecting  your  entire  sancti- 
fication. 

For  more  extensive  information,  and  more 
specific  directions,  on  this  interesting  topic,  I 
refer  you  to  Mr.  Wesley's  "  Plain  Account  of 
Christian  Perfection."  If  you  have  leisure  and 
inclination  to  enter  into  the  arguments  by 
which  the  doctrine  is  opposed  and  defended, 
you  will  find  the  principal  of  them  in  Mr. 
Fletcher's  ^'  Last  Check  to  Antinomianism." 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Treffry  has  also  published  a 
work  on  this  subject,  which,  I  doubt  not,  is 
worthy  of  the  well-known  character  and  talents 
of  the  author.  You  will  find  yourself  greatly 
quickened  in  the  pursuit  of  sanctification  by 
perusing  the  memoris  of  eminent  Christians ; 
such  as  Mr.  Wesley,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fletcher, 
Lady  Maxwell,  Mrs.  H.  A.  Rogers,  D.  Stoner, 
J.  Smith,  Williams  of  Kidderminster,  &c. 


56  ADMONITORV    COUNSELS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

t)N      THE      MEANS      OF      PROMOTING      PERSONAL 
RELIGION, WATCHFULNESS     AND      SELF-EX- 
AMINATION. 
«^ 

For  all  the  consolation  you  enjoy,  and  for 
all  the  moral  energy  you  possess  as  a  Christian, 
you  are  indebted  to  the  agency  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  It  is  he  who  worketh  in  you  to  will 
and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  The  necessity 
of  this  agency  you  cannot  too  deeply  feel :  your 
dependance  upon  it  can  neither  be  too  constant 
nor  too  exclusive.  While,  however,  you  are 
indebted  to  divine  influence  for  peace  of  mind 
and  holiness  of  character,  you  must  never 
forget  that  the  bestowment  of  this  influence  is 
governed  by  laws  which  God  himself  has 
appointed,  and  to  which  he  requires  a  faithful 
obedience.  In  the  exercise  of  infinite  wisdom 
and  benevolence,  he  has  determined  to  com- 
municate his  grace  to  those  who  use  the  means 
of  obtaining  it ;  and  these  means  are  the  ordi- 
nances which  he  himself  has  instituted,  and 
in  the  observance  of  which  we  become  the 
recipients  of  those  blessings  that  accompany 
salvation. 

The  fact  that  these  means  are  of  divine 
appointment,  is  of  itself  sufficient  to  render  the 
observance  of  them  matter  of  imperative  obliga- 
tion. We  are  not,  however,  required  to  adopt 
them  merely  because  God  has  enjoined  them ;  foi 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  57 

they  are  as  much  the  indications  of  his  good- 
ness, as  they  are  of  his  authority.  They 
recommend  themselves  to  us  because  they  are 
simple,  suitable,  and  practicable.  They  are 
involved  in  no  inpenetrable  mysteries  ;  they 
require  no  self-inflicted  tortures  ;  they  demand 
no  impossible  achievements.  They  disown 
the  pomp  and  tediousness  of  ceremony  ;  they 
need  not  the  flimsy  decorations  with  which 
superstition  has  invested  them.  So  adapted 
are  they  to  our  circumstances,  that  they  might 
almost  seem  to  have  been  the  natural  result  of 
them  ;  they  find  us  in  poverty,  and  they  bring 
into  our  possession  durable  riches  and  right- 
eousness ;  they  find  us  in  helplessness,  and  they 
lead  us  to  omnipotence  for  strength ;  they  find 
us  in  darkness,  and  through  their  medium 
divine  light  shines  into  our  hearts,  and  guides 
our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace.  By  the  obser- 
vance of  these  means  we  not  only  gain  access 
to  God,  but  perpetuate  our  communion  with 
him;  by  them  we  give  expression  to  our  wants, 
and  obtain  the  fulfilment  of  his  promises  ;  they 
are  the  channels  by  which  he  supplies  us  with 
spiritual  nourishment,  and  by  which  he  com- 
municates those  gifts  which  we  are  commanded 
earnestly  to  covet  and  diligently  to  seek. 

Valuable  as  the  means  of  grace  are,  it  must 
be  remembered  that  they  are  valuable  only  as 
means.  They  are  not  the  efficient,  they  are 
only  the  instrumental,  causes  of  our  spiritual 
improvement.  Of  themselves  they  possess  no 
efficacy.  Their  adaptation  to  our  circumstances 


58  ADMOxMTORY    COUNSELS. 

gives  them  no  transforming  or  purifying  power. 
Unaccompanied  by  divine  influence  they  are 
lifeless,  unprofitable,  and  even  burdensome.  It 
is  true  that  the  observance  of  them,  when 
prompted  by  evangelical  motives,  forms  a  part 
of  that  homage  which  we  owe  to  God  :  by  such 
an  observance  we  acknowledge  his  supremacy, 
and  our  state  of  dependance  and  obligation. 
But  this  must  not  be  allowed  to  supersede  the 
ordinary  duties  of  life  :  the  means  of  grace  are 
designed  not  as  a  substitute  for  these  duties, 
but  to  qualify  us  for  the  more  active^  per- 
formance of  them.  Religion  does  not  consist 
in  merely  going  through  a  course  of  devotional 
exercises,  but  in  rendering  these  exercises  sub- 
servient to  our  advancement  in  holiness.  The 
satisfaction  we  find  in  them  should  not  result 
simply  from  the  fact  of  our  having  engaged  in 
them,  but  from  the  consciousness  that  they  are 
instrumental  in  bringing  us  nearer  to  God,  in 
discovering  to  us  more  clearly  our  own  in- 
sufficiency, and  in  causing  us  to  rely  more 
entirely  upon  Christ  for  every  spiritual  blessing. 
While  in  obedience  to  the  divine  command, 
we  wait  upon  God  in  his  ordinances,  we  must 
not  repose  our  confidence  in  them.  Our  con- 
fidence must  be  in  Christ ;  our  comfort  must 
be  derived  from  him.  But  such  is  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  the  heart,  and  such  are  the  devices 
of  Satan,  that  there  is  danger  lest  religious 
duties  should  usurp  that  place  in  our  minds 
which  ought  to  be  exclusively  occupied  by  the 
Son  of  God  as  our  only  and  all-suflicient  Saviour. 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  59 

The  means  of  grace  consist,  in  part,  of  those 
exercises  which  are  most  properly  attended  to  in 
the  seclusion  of  the  closet ;  and,  in  part,  of  those 
which  can  only  be  observed  when  Christians  are 
congregated  together.  The  duty  to  which  I  shall 
first  direct  your  attention  is,  however,  not  con- 
fined either  to  time  or  to  place,  but  is  always 
necessary  and  always  practicable.  Such  are 
the  characteristics  of  Christian  watchfulness. 
This  duty  consists  of  a  habit  of  circumspection 
and  self-observance  :  it  includes  an  unremitting 
attention  to  the  operations  of  our  own  minds 
with  a  special  reference  to  our  spiritual  interests. 
It  is  the  legitimate  result  of  impressions  which 
divine  truth  makes  upon  the  heart :  when  those 
impressions  are  powerful  and  permanent,  they 
originate  desires  and  motives  which  necessarily 
stimulate  to  the  exercise  of  watchfulness. 

The  obligations  to  watchfulness  are  grounded 
on  the  infinite  value  of  the  soul ;  on  our  account- 
ability to  God  ;  and  on  the  dangers  to  which  we 
are  exposed  from  natural  corruption,  from  the 
influence  of  the  world,  and  from  the  temptations 
of  tlie  wicked  one.  If  we  possessed  an  earthly 
treasure,  the  preservation  of  which  we  deemed 
essential  to  our  happiness,  but  which  was  liable 
to  deteriorate  by  neglect,  or  to  be  taken  from  us 
by  perfidy  or  by  violence,  how  anxious  should 
we  feel  for  its  safety!  how  assiduous  in  its  pro- 
tection !  and  as  dangers  multiplied,  how  in- 
genious and  energetic  should  we  be  in  devising 
the  means  of  security !  The  Christian  who 
properly  estimates  his  heavenly  treasure,  and 


**- 


60  ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

who  is  aware  of  the  evils  to  which  it  is  exposed, 
will  be  continually  on  the  alert ;  anxiously  will 
he  guard  his  soul  against  the  dangers  with 
which  it  may  be  threatened ;  incessantly  will 
he  labour  not  only  to  keep  possession  of  the 
peace  and  purity  which  he  has  obtained,  but  to 
render  them  more  perfect  and  more  abundant. 
Not  only  will  he  strenuously  resist  his  spiritual 
enemies  when  he  feels  the  fierceness  of  their 
opposition,  but  he  will  be  so  observant  of  events, 
and  so  deliberate  in  his  movements,  that  he 
will  prevent  numerous  temptations  from  over- 
taking him,  and  thereby  frequently  save  himself 
from  the  struggles  and  disadvantages  of  the 
conflict. 

The  objects  of  watchfulness  comprise  what- 
ever is  calculated  to  affect  our  experience  and 
character  as  the  followers  of  Christ.  In  this 
exercise  our  attention  should  be  directed  to  our 
words  and  to  our  actions.  When  we  endeavour 
so  to  order  our  conduct  as  to  maintain  uniform 
consistency;  when  we  are  habitually  mindful 
of  the  probable  tendency  of  what  we  say 
and  of  what  we  do  ;  when  we  speak  and  act 
as  in  the  presence  and  in  the  fear  of  God, 
then  we  are  watchful.  When  we  are  strictly 
observant  of  the  motives  by  which  we  are 
actuated ;  when  we  accustom  ourselves  impar- 
tially to  weigh  the  reasons  of  our  conduct ;  when 
we  refuse  to  be  governed  by  mere  impulse  and 
selfishness;  when  we  reject  those  considera- 
tions which  God  has  condemned  ;  and  when  we 
adopt  only  such  as  he  will  approve,  then  we 


ADMONITORV   COUNSELS.  61 

are  watchful.  When  we  are  acutely  sensitive  to 
the  first  risings  of  angry  and  resentful  tempers ; 
when  our  consciences  are  tenderly  alive  to  the 
necessity  of  suppressing  such  feelings ;  when  we 
act  in  accordance  with  our  convictions,  and 
labour  to  cultivate  meekness,  forbearance,  gen- 
tleness, and  love,  then  we  are  watchful.  When 
from  the  consciousness  we  have  that  our 
thoughts  are  apt  to  revel  in  scenes  of  ideal 
happiness,  and  to  dwell  on  frivolous  and 
forbidden  objects,  we  feel  the  necessity  of 
restraining  them ;  and  when,  under  the  influence 
of  this  impression,  we  promptly  expel  all  vain 
and  foolish  thoughts,  and  encourage  and  retain 
only  those  which  are  either  proper  and  useful, 
or  edifying  and  holy,  then  we  are  watchful. 
When  we  endeavour  to  ascertain  the  weak- 
nesses peculiar  to  our  own  character  ;  when  we 
strive  to  correct  them,  and  to  prevent  their 
development,  then  we  are  watchful.  When  we 
observe  the  effect  which  different  circumstances 
have  upon  us ;  when  we  discover  and  also 
remember  that,  in  particular  situations,  and 
in  the  company  of  particular  individuals,  we  are 
exposed  to  temptation,  and  that  our  spiritual 
interests  sustain  injury  ;  and  when  we  carefully 
avoid  such  associations,  or,  if  unavoidable,  we 
fortify  our  minds  against  their  dangerous  in- 
fluence, then  we  are  watchful.  When  from  the 
experience  we  have  of  the  fiery  darts  of  the 
wicked  one,  from  a  perception  of  the  arduous- 
ness  of  our  duties,  and  from  a  sense  of  our 
utter  helplessness,  we  habitually  look  to  Jesus, 


62  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

for  the  grace  that  is  all-sufficient,  then  are  we 
truly  watchful. 

Need  I  adduce  any  further  considerations, 
with  the  view  of  urging  you  to  the  performance 
of  this  essential  duty?  Remember,  it  is  en- 
forced by  the  most  solemn  sanctions.  Christ 
himself  has  commanded  it ;  your  own  circum- 
stances require  it ;  and  every  thing  that  is  awful 
in  your  responsibility  as  a  Christian  demands 
your  time,  and  your  energies,  for  this  great 
work.  Contemplate  for  a  moment  the  ad- 
vantages that  will  result  from  a  habit  of  watch- 
fulness. Your  mind  will  be  kept  free  from 
corroding  anxiety,  and  from  tumultuous  passion. 
Your  conscience  will  not  be  burdened  by  self- 
condemnation,  nor  will  your  heart  be  polluted 
by  the  prevalence  of  evil  thoughts  and  tempers. 
You  will  have  a  quick  discernment  of  sin,  and 
as  keen  a  perception  of  its  deformity.  Promptly 
will  you  repel  its  encroachments,  and  suc- 
cessfully will  you  resist  its  assaults.  The 
temptations  which  sin  and  Satan  may  lay  before 
you  will  be  lessened  in  number,  and  weakened 
in  power.  The  sedateness  and  self-possession, 
which  are  essential  to  watchfulness,  will  prepare 
you  for  those  conflicts  which  are  unavoidable  ; 
while  the  sensibility  and  foresight  which  watch- 
fulness imparts  will  enable  you  to  escape  many 
a  snare  in  which  you  would  otherwise  be 
involved.  If  you  are  constantly  watchful,  you 
will  constantly  preserve  a  devotional  spirit  : 
this  will  give  you  an  increasing  relish  for  closet 
duties,  and  will   render   those   duties  always 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  63 

delightful,  and  always  profitable.  You  will  by 
watchfulness  be  made  alive  to  your  manifold 
obligations,  and  be  led  to  the  performance  of 
every  duty  in  its  proper  season.  You  will  go 
on  in  a  course  of  improvement,  and  exhibit  a 
stability  of  character,  by  which  you  will  benefit 
the  church,  and  glorify  God.  Affliction  shall 
not  overwhelm  you ;  death  shall  not  alarm  you. 
You  will  acquire  that  confidence  and  peace 
which  will  not  abandon  you,  when  the  chastise- 
ments of  your  heavenly  Father  are  upon  you, 
and  in  the  possession  of  which  you  will  be 
undismayed  by  the  last  summons,  however 
suddenly  it  may  arrive. 

Consider,  on  the  other  hand,  the  certain  con- 
sequences of  unwatchfulness.  You  may  keep  up 
a  profession  of  religion  ;  but  whether  it  will  be 
any  thing  more  than  a  profession,  your  own 
experience  will  most  truly  testify.  Most  as- 
suredly you  will  never  attain  to  spiritual- 
mindedness,  nor  will  you  realize  the  enjoyment 
of  spiritual  privileges.  You  will  be  a  cold- 
hearted,  worldly-minded,  barren  professor. 
You  will  dishonour  the  gospel  by  the  levity 
of  your  deportment,  the  rashness  of  your 
expressions,  and  the  petulance  of  your  temper. 
Your  conscience  will  lose  its  tenderness,  and 
your  heart  its  purity.  Your  temptations  will 
be  multiplied,  and  their  strength  redoubled. 
Satan  will  find  in  you  an  easy  victim :  he  will 
either  betray  you  into  open  apostacy,  or  by 
transforming  himself  into  an  angel  of  light, 
beguile  you  by  some  fatal  delusion,  and  con- 


64  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

duct  you  to  your  ruin.  In  short,  unless  you 
are  watchful,  you  cannot  be  saved.  If  watch- 
fulness be,  as  it  certainly  is,  necessary  to  retain 
the  blessings  of  salvation,  it  follows  that  he  who 
is  unwatchful  must  lose  those  blessings.  It  is 
needless  to  add,  that  the  ultimate  consequence 
of  losing  the  blessings  of  salvation,  must  be 
an  exclusion  from  heaven,  a  consignment  to 
hell. 

O  then,  whatever  sacrifices  it  may  cost,  be 
watchful.  Your  comfort,  your  consistency, 
your  advancement  in  piety,  your  salvation, 
depend  on  the  proper  performance  of  this  duty. 
But  in  order  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  it, 
what  self-denial,  what  determination,  what 
strength  of  principle,  what  constancy  of  effort 
ate  requisite  !  And  who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things  ?  To  struggle  against  nature,  to  over- 
come the  world's  influence,  and  effectually  to 
resist  temptation,  how  unremitting,  how  arduous 
the  conflict !  but  how  necessary  the  conquest ! 
Let  not  the  consciousness  of  your  weakness 
discourage  you,  neither  let  the  magnitude  of 
your  diflSculties  appal  you.  Your  sufficiency 
is  of  God.  There  is  an  Agent  who  can  and 
who  will  produce  those  impressions,  implant 
those  motives,  and  impart  that  strength  which 
will  prompt  you  to  unceasing  watchfulness. 
Implore  his  aid :  depend  on  his  power.  In- 
vigorated by  his  influence,  difficulties  will 
vanish,  and  needless  anxieties  will  depart. 
Let  your  thoughts  dwell  frequently  and  deeply 
on  the  worth  of  your  soul,  the  sufferings  of 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  65 

Christ,  your  responsibility  to  God,  and  the 
realities  of  eternity.  A  heartfelt  conviction  of 
these  solemn  truths  will  stimulate  and  direct 
you ;  they  will  excite  a  godly  jealousy  over 
yourself,  and  a  filial  fear  of  offending  your 
heavenly  Father  ;  their  influence  will  constrain 
you  to  keep  your  heart  with  all  diligence  ;  and 
thus  watching  unto  prayer,  yours  will  be  the 
delightful  privilege  of  walking  humbly  and 
closely  with  your  God. 

Nearly  allied  to  watchfulness  is  the  no  less 
important  duty  of  self-examination.  The 
former  may  be  regarded  as  a  habit  which  should 
be  constantly  maintained ;  the  latter  as  a  dis- 
tinct and  deliberate  act  of  the  mind,  to  the  per- 
formance of  which  a  special  and  suitable  season 
must  be  appropriated.  In  self-examination  we 
recall  the  feelings,  thoughts,  and  conduct  that 
have  occupied  a  period  which  has  past;  we 
subject  them  to  a  judicial  investigation,  with 
the  view  of  ascertaining  the  degree  of  their  con- 
formity to  a  certain  standard.  Self-examination 
not  only  takes  cognizance  of  the  past ;  it  also 
inquires  into  our  present  religious  impressions, 
scrutinizes  the  principles  by  which  we  are  now 
actuated,  and  endeavours  to  determine  what 
are  our  present  spiritual  attainments,  and  what 
is  the  course  which  we  are  now  pursuing.  In 
this  exercise  the  Christian  takes  an  impartial 
survey  of  his  own  character,  and  enters  into 
judgment  on  himself. 

In  self-examination,  we  must  refer  to  the 
word  of  God  as  the  only  standard  by  which 
5 


66  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

our  inquiries  are  to  be  directed,  and  our  deci- 
sions formed.  The  precepts  of  Scripture  pre- 
scribe to  us  the  full  extent  of  Christian  duty, 
and  its  promises  unfold  to  us  the  heights  and 
depths  of  Christian  privileges.  We  must,  there- 
fore, search  our  hearts  and  our  characters  by 
the  light  of  truth ;  and  endeavour  to  ascertain 
whether  we  are  practising  the  duties  which  it 
requires,  and  enjoying  the  privileges  it  confers. 
The  examples  of  eminently  pious  men  may 
stimulate  us  ;  their  instructions  may  materially 
assist  us  ;  but  we  must  follow  them  only  so  far 
as  they  have  followed  Christ.  If  we  compare 
ourselves  with  them,  it  must  be  with  their 
superior  excellences,  not  with  their  defects ; 
if  we  adopt  their  rules  and  maxims  to  assist 
us  in  the  business  of  self-examination,  it  must 
be  on  account  of  their  manifest  conformity  to 
the  rules  and  maxims  of  God's  word.  This 
word  is  infallible,  it  therefore  may  safely  be 
trusted  ;  its  authority  is  divine,  it  therefore  has 
a  rightful  claim  to  our  highest  regard.  If  when 
looking  into  ourselves  we  refer  to  living  speci- 
mens of  Christian  character,  such  inferiority  of 
spiritual  attainments,  such  feebleness  of  religious 
principle,  may  force  themselves  upon  our  atten- 
tion, as  will  generate  pride  insteaxl  of  humility, 
and  thus  defeat  the  principal  end  of  self-inspec- 
tion. But  if  we  refer  to  the  standard  of  eternal 
truth,  and  test  ourselves  by  its  statements,  we 
shall  not  only  be  directed  by  an  unerring  guide, 
but  we  shall  always  discover  heights  of  perfec- 
tion, toward  which  we  may  continually  aspire, 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  67 

and  depths  of  infinite  love  which  have  yet  to  be 
sounded,  and  into  w^hich  our  souls  have  yet  to 
aink.  Moreover,  in  adopting  the  Scriptures  as 
out  standard  in  the  duty  of  self-examination, 
vi^e  are  furnished  with  one  example,  which 
exhibits  moral  excellence  unmingled  with 
human  infirmity,  and  unalloyed  with  human 
corruption  ;  an  example  of  active  obedience, 
of  patient  suffering,  of  meek  endurance  ;  an 
example  consisting  of  the  developments  of 
a  mind  filled  with  unbounded  benevolence, 
unsullied  purity,  the  most  exalted  heavenly 
affections,  and  entire  devotedness  to  God.  This 
example  we  are  required  to  imitate  :  the  same 
mind  must  be  in  us  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus  ; 
if  we  wish  to  fulfil  the  divine  purpose  concerning 
us,  we  must  be  conformed  to  the  moral  image 
of  the  Son  of  God.  In  self-examination,  there- 
fore, we  must  bring  into  view  the  prominent 
features  of  the  Redeemer's  character,  and  com- 
pare ourselves  with  them :  and  if  we  discover 
that  the  likeness  we  bear  to  Christ  is  so  faint 
as  to  be  scarcely  perceptible ;  yea,  if  we  discover 
points  of  contrast  in  his  character  and  ours  ;  we 
must  not  yield  to  discouragement,  but  rouse 
ourselves  to  exertion  ;  we  must  not  turn  away 
in  despair  from  the  faultless  prototype,  but  con- 
template the  Saviour's  excellences  with  the 
eye  of  faith,  so  that  "  beholding  as  by  a  mirror 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we  may  be  transformed 
into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory,  by 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord." 

The  process  of  self-examination  should  be 


68  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

conducted  with  the  strictest  fidelity.  It  is  diffi- 
cult, generally  speaking,  for  the  mind  distinctly 
to  recall,  and  closely  to  survey,  its  own  opera- 
tions. It  is  easier  for  us  to  mark  the  peculiarities 
of  others,  than  to  scrutinize  our  own.  The  pride 
and  deceitfulness  of  the  heart  cause  us  to  shrink 
from  the  discovery  of  our  imperfections,  and 
would  induce  us  to  impose  upon  ourselves  in 
matters  that  involve  our  everlasting  destiny. 
Thus  the  duty  of  self-examination  is  frequently 
performed  in  a  careless  and  superficial  manner. 
A  few  general  inquiries  are  proposed,  to  which 
indefinite  answers  are  given ;  or,  if  the  truth 
should  force  itself  upon  the  conscience,  its  ad- 
monitions lose  their  effect,  by  the  adoption  of 
some  presumptuous  hope,  or  by  fleeing  to  some 
false  ground  of  consolation.  If,  then,  you 
would  avoid  the  guilt  of  hypocrisy,  on  the  one 
hand,  or  the  consequences  of  a  criminal  self- 
deception,  on  the  other,  be  faithful  to  yourself 
and  to  God  in  the  exercise  of  self-examination. 
Let  your  inquiries  be  close,  searching,  and 
severe.  Spare  not  your  own  feelings,  neither 
show  mercy  even  to  the  infirmities  of  your 
nature.  Be  determined  that  no  secret  sin 
shall  escape  your  notice.  Penetrate  into  the 
inmost  recesses  of  your  heart,  trace  its 
windings  and  its  wanderings,  ascertain  its 
most  hidden  springs  of  action  ;  be  resolved  to 
exterminate  from  it  the  least  remnant  of 
corruption ;  and  test  all  its  movements,  its 
thoughts,  its  tempers,  and  its  affections,  by 
that  rule  which  both   requires   and  promises 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  69 

the    entire    sanctification    of    them    that   be- 
lieve. 

This  duty  should  be  attended  to  with  fre- 
quency and  regularity.  Are  there  not  many 
religious  professors  who  are  verily  guilty  in  this 
matter  ?  Is  not  a  total  neglect  of  self-exami- 
nation chargeable  upon  multitudes  who  name 
the  name  of  Christ  ?  And  is  it  not  to  this  neglect 
that  we  are,  partly  at  least,  to  attribute  the 
worldiness  and  lukewarmness  with  which  the 
church  of  God  is  so  deeply  infected  ?  While, 
in  the  order  of  means,  nothing  so  powerfully 
quickens  and  invigorates  as  a  daily  inspection 
of  our  spiritual  state,  nothing  so  surely  causes 
declension  and  darkness  as  the  entire  or  partial 
omission  of  this  duty.  An  occasional  perform- 
ance of  it,  with  long  intervals  of  neglect,  will 
not  suffice.  There  must  be  perseverance.  The 
difficulties  of  the  exercise  are  increased  by  this 
neglect :  it  requires  a  fixedness  of  thought 
which  is  to  be  obtained  only  by  habit.  More- 
over, when  it  is  but  slightly  or  but  seldom  at- 
tended to,  spiritual  influence  will  be  so  feeble, 
as  to  be  hardly  discoverable.  There  will  be  so 
much  of  evil  in  the  character,  as  to  cause  dis- 
tressing perplexity  and  even  bitter  remorse. 
Thus,  not  only  by  neglect,  but  by  the  conse- 
quences of  neglect,  are  the  difficulties  and  the 
painfulness  of  self-examination  augmented. 
Whereas  a  frequent  and  regular  performance  of 
it,  will  not  only  render  it  less  arduous,  but  will 
be  one  means  of  overcoming  the  natural  repug- 
nance of  the  mind  to  the  exercise.     That  ad- 


70  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

vancementin  faith  and  love  and  joy,  which  will 
be  the  happy  results  of  frequency  and  regularity, 
will  also  cause  a  still  further  decrease  of  the 
difficulties  you  may  at  first  experience.  As  the 
blessings  and  principles  of  the  gospel  more  fully 
occupy  the  heart,  they  will  be  more  easily  dis- 
cernible ;  they  will  become  more  boldly  promi- 
nent to  the  eye  of  inspection ;  a  satisfactory 
conclusion  will  be  more  speedily  and  yet  safely 
formed  ;  and  thus  gratitude  and  joy  will  take 
the  place  of  embarrassment  and  shame. 

In  order,  therefore,  to  give  a  timely  check  to 
the  insidious  encroachments  of  sin,  and  to  main- 
tain intimate  communion  with  God,  you  must 
make  it  a  point  of  conscience  daili/  to  examine 
yourself.  As  the  prudent  and  upright  trades- 
man will  subject  his  affairs  to  a  periodical  in- 
vestigation, in  order  that  he  may  ascertain  the 
amount  of  his  gains  and  losses,  and  adopt  means 
of  preserving  and  increasing  the  former,  and  of 
retrieving  the  latter ;  so  the  Christian  will,  at 
regular  and  appointed  seasons,  search  into  his 
heart,  review  his  conduct,  and  thereby  ascertain 
whether  he  be  retrograding  or  advancing  in  reli- 
gion. And  he  who  understands  the  nature,  and 
is  properly  alive  to  the  importance,  of  self-ex- 
amination, will  find  that  to  perform  it  efficiently, 
he  must  devote  his  attention  to  it  daily ;  that  to 
observe  it  less  frequently,  is  productive  of 
serious  disadvantage  ;  that  as  it  lengthens  the 
retrospect,  it  taxes  the  memory  beyond  what  it 
has  power  to  accomplish,  and  that  consequently 
many  heart-wanderings  will  be  forgotten,  and 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  71 

many  evils  remain  undetected  and  unlamented. 
Be  solemnly  determined,  therefore,  to  set  apart 
a  portion  of  every  day  for  the  purpose  of  hold- 
ing close  and  faithful  converse  w^ith  yourself. 

"While  your  own  judgment  must  guide  you 
in  the  selection,  it  may  be  suggested  whether 
the  evening  does  not  generally  present  the  most 
favourable  opportunity  for  engaging  in  this  so- 
lemn exercise.  When  the  occupations  and  cares 
of  the  day  are  over,  the  mind  can  more  easily 
collect  its  ideas,  and  exercise  itself  in  calm  but 
deep  reflection.  To  recall  the  incidents  of  the 
day,  to  bring  to  remembrance  the  thoughts  and 
feelings  with  which  they  have  been  associated, 
and  impartially  to  review  the  motives  of  our 
conduct,  is,  as  a  part  of  our  evening's  employ- 
ment, not  only  to  be  recommended  as  advanta- 
geous, but  may  also  be  urged  as  indispensable. 
If  it  immediately  precede  the  exercise  of  prayer, 
it  will  furnish  matter  for  enlarged  and  special 
supplication,  as  well  as  for  the  expression  of 
ardent  thankfulness  to  God  for  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  mercies  which  he  has  conferred. 

Those  points  in  your  character,  respecting 
which  you  should  examine  yourself,  depend  in 
some  measure  on  the  circumstances  in  which 
you  are  placed  :  there  are  nevertheless  certain 
matters  which  ought  always  to  be  made  the 
subjects  of  rigid  investigation.  Without  wish- 
ing to  dictate,  you  will  probably  find  that  some 
such  questions  as  the  following,  solemnly  pro- 
posed, and  honestly  answered,  will  afford  you 
some  direction  and  assistance  in  the  performance 


72  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

of  this  essential  duty: — 1.  In  what  frame  of 
mind  did  I  this  morning  enter  upon  the  duties 
and  occupations  of  the  day  ?  Was  I  fervent, 
humble,  and  believing,  in  private  devotion,  and 
did  I  go  forth  into  the  world  feeling  my  help- 
lessness, and  looking  up  to  God  for  guidance 
and  strength  I  2.  What  have  been  my  pre- 
vailing thoughts,  desires,  and  affections,  during 
the  day  ?  Have  they  been  fixed  on  foolish, 
forbidden,  and  sinful  objects  ;  or  have  they 
been,  as  much  as  possible,  directed  to  those 
things  which  make  for  my  everlasting  peace  ? 
3.  What  has,  this  day,  been  the  prevailing  tem- 
per of  my  mind  ?  Have  I  been  in  any  circum- 
stances more  than  usually  trying  ?  Have  I  main- 
tained meekness,  forbearance,  and  a  readiness 
to  forgive  1  Or  have  I  yielded  to  petulance, 
resentment,  envy,  or  unkindness  ?  Have  I 
given  unnecessary  pain  or  offence  to  any  human 
being?  4.  Have  I  been  strictly  upright  and 
honourable  in  all  my  dealings  ?  Have  I  been 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  those  duties  which 
devolve  upon  me  in  the  station  which  I  occupy  ? 
5.  Have  I  ordered  my  words  aright  before 
God  ?  Have  I  spoken  falsely,  or  in  any  way 
calculated  to  convey  an  impression  contrary  to 
the  truth  1  Have  I  been  guilty  of  evil-speak- 
ing? Has  my  conversation  been  trifling  and 
unprofitable ;  or  has  it  been  serious,  edifying,  and 
consistent  1  6.  Have  I  this  day  done  all  in 
my  power  to  promote  the  cause  of  God  ?  Have 
I  reproved  sin  ?  Have  I,  when  opportunity 
has  served,  faithfully,  but  tenderly,  admonished 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  73 

the  unconverted  ?  Have  I  been  called  upon 
this  day  to  assist  the  cause  of  God,  at  home  or 
abroad,  either  by  pecuniary  contribution,  or  by 
personal  exertion  ?     Have  I  done  what  I  could  ? 

7.  Have  I  throughout  this  day  maintained 
communion  with  God?  Have  I  kept  up  a 
sense  of  his  presence,  and  in  all  things  had  a 
single  eye  to  his  glory  ?  Have  I  occasionally 
lifted  up  my  heart  to  him  in  ejaculatory  prayer  ? 

8.  Have  I  this  day  lived  by  faith  in  the  Son 
of  God  ?  Have  I  this  day  realized  the  cleansing 
and  peace-giving  efficacy  of  the  Saviour's 
blood  ?  Have  I  regarded  him  as  my  Advocate 
with  the  Father ;  and  have  I  with  confidence 
expected,  through  his  intercession,  the  bless- 
ings which  he  has  purchased  and  promised  ? 

9.  What  is  my  present  state  and  character  in 
a  religious  point  of  view  ?  Am  I  alive  to  God  ? 
Do  I  love  him  supremely  ?  Do  I  enjoy  an 
assurance  of  his  favour  ?  Am  I  growing  in 
grace  ?  Have  I  fervent  charity  toward  all 
men  1  Have  I  a  heart  to  sympathize  with  the 
afflicted,  to  relieve  the  wretched,  and  to  love 
my  enemies  ? 

There  are,  I  think,  but  few  of  the  preceding 
questions  which  ought  not  to  be  pressed  upon 
the  conscience  at  the  close  of  every  day. 
Many  of  the  inquiries  will  be  speedily  and 
satisfactorily  answered  by  those  who  are  spi- 
ritually-minded and  truly  devoted  to  God. 
While  every  answer  should  be  given  delibe- 
rately, with  the  deepest  conviction  of  its  in- 
tegrity, the  process  of  self-examination  will  be 


74  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

longer  or  shorter,  as  the  mind  feels  reluctant 
and  perplexed,  or  ready  and  decided,  in  the 
performance  of  the  duty. 

Events  will  frequently  occur  in  the  private 
history  of  the  Christian,  and  also  in  his  family, 
in  the  church,  and  in  the  world,  which,  as  they 
may  more  or  less  bear  on  his  religious  profes- 
sion, require  that  he  should  make  them  the 
grounds  of  distinct  and  special  self-examina- 
tion. When  suffering,  either  from  personal  oi 
from  domestic  affliction,  or  from  worldly  losses 
and  disappointments,  inquiry  should  be  made 
how  the  chastisement  is  received,  and  what 
effects  it  produces;  whether  those  effects  are 
manifested  by  resignation  and  confidence,  or  by 
fretfulness  and  despondency.  In  the  prospect 
of  any  new  undertaking,  or  in  the  experience 
of  any  change  of  circumstances,  we  should 
thoroughly  investigate  our  motives  and  obliga- 
tions. When  the  interests  of  the  church  are 
peculiarly  adverse,  or  when  they  are  unusually 
prosperous,  it  behooves  us,  at  least,  to  endeavour 
to  ascertain  whether  we  have  contributed  to 
the  one  or  to  the  other ;  what  is  our  present 
duty,  and  what  course  we  are  actually  pursu- 
ing. The  world,  with  its  startling  movements, 
strange  aspects,  and  fierce  conflicts,  will  suggest 
to  the  observant  Christian  topics  not  only  of 
serious  thought,  but  of  searching  self-inquiry. 
In  times  like  the  present  the  moral  influence  of 
every  individual  is  of  importance  ;  and  he  who 
wishes  to  be  found  faithful  will,  in  reference  to 
passing  events,  consider  whether  his  religious 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  75 

profession  be  such  as  is  calculated  to  promote 
the  purity  and  stability  of  the  church,  as  well 
as  to  preserve,  what  ought  to  be,  its  obvious 
distinction  from  the  world. 

The  relations  which  the  Christian  may  sus- 
tain should  not  be  altogether  overlooked.  The 
head  of  a  family  will  have  inquiries  to  propose 
which  would  be  inapplicable  to  a  subordinate 
member  of  the  household.  An  officer  of  the 
church  must  examine  himself  as  to  the  fulfil- 
ment of  duties  which  do  not  devolve  upon  a 
private  member.  The  man  of  wealth  has  a 
stewardship  to  discharge,  which,  consequently, 
requires  a  kind  of  scrutiny  that  would  not  be 
suitable  for  him  who  has  to  struggle  with  the 
privations  of  poverty.  Every  Christian,  how- 
ever humble  his  station,  has  certain  talents 
committed  to  his  trust ;  and  he  whose  con- 
science is  divinely  enlightened,  and  whose  eye 
is  single  to  the  glory  of  God,  will  be  careful  to 
inform  himself  of  every  obligation  that  belongs 
to  him,  nor  will  there  be  wanting  those  reflec- 
tions on  his  own  conduct,  which  will  tend  to 
enlarge  his  sense  of  duty,  and  prompt  him  to 
greater  zeal  in  the  service  of  his  Master. 

When  self-examination  leads  to  the  detection 
of  any  sin,  either  of  commission  or  of  omission, 
the  event  should  not  only  be  made  the  subject 
of  confession  and  the  cause  of  humiliation,  but 
should  be  followed  by  an  immediate  application 
to  the  blood  of  Christ,  so  that  the  guilt  which 
has  been  contracted  may  be  at  once  removed. 
To  allow  guilt  to  remain  upon  the  conscience 


76  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

is  to  Strengthen  its  influence,  to  deepen  its  de- 
filement, and  needlessly  to  retain  its  condemn- 
ation. Earnest  supplication  should  also  be 
oflfered  that  grace  may  be  given,  that  for  the 
future  you  may  be  enabled  to  overcome  the 
temptation,  or  to  avoid  the  evil  into  wrhich  you 
have  fallen. 

When  the  retrospect  of  a  day's  proceedings 
results  in  the  "  testimony  of'  your  conscience, 
that  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  you  have 
had  your  conversation  in  the  world,"  fail  not  to 
remember  that  it  is  "  by  the  grace  of  God" 
that  you  have  maintained  a  consistent  deport- 
ment. When  happy  in  the  faithful  discharge 
of  your  duty,  and  joyfully  sensible  of  your 
advancement  in  holiness,  let  the  language  of 
your  heart  be,  "  Not  unto  me,  O  Lord,  not 
unto  me,  but  unto  thy  name  be  alt  the  glory, 
for  thy  mercy  and  thy  truth's  sake."  Let  not 
the  possession  of  "  a  good  conscience"  become 
the  source  of  spiritual  pride  ;  neither  let  it  de- 
generate into  self-righteous  confidence  :  with 
humble  gratitude  attribute  all  your  attainments 
in  piety  to  that  divine  Agent  whose  prerogative 
it  is  to  create  you  anew  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  to 
establish,  strengthen,  and  settle  you  in  the 
duties  and  privileges  of  the  gospel. 

You  may,  from  what  has  been  said,  perceive, 
to  some  extent,  the  advantages  of  self-exami- 
nation. It  gives  a  timely  disclosure  of  ap- 
proaching danger,  and  early  discovers  those 
otherwise  imperceptible  gradations  by  which 
evil  habits  and  tempers  regain  their  ascendency. 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  77 

It  produces  a  painful  conviction  of  our  weak- 
ness ;  but  it  compels  us  to  trust  in  that  power 
which  is  ever  ready  to  assist  us,  and  which  is 
declared  to  be  in  all  our  extremities  "  sufficient 
for  us."  In  short,  as  it  lays  before  us  our 
peculiarities  of  character,  it  is  the  only  means 
of  obtaining  that  invaluable  acquisition,  self- 
knbwledge  ;  destitute  of  which,  the  most  ex- 
tensive acquaintance  with  history,  science,  and 
literature,  will,  in  the  end,  be  utterly  worth- 
less. 

By  self-examination  we  obtain  more  enlarged 
and  Scriptural  views  of  Christian  duty  :  we  are 
brought  more  fully  under  the  operation  of 
Christian  motives  ;  and  are  stimulated  to  seek 
the  constant  enjoyment  of  Christian  privileges. 
It  impresses  the  law  of  God  more  deeply  on 
our  hearts,  and  prompts  us  to  a  universal  obe- 
dience. While  it  reveals  to  us  our  spiritual 
poverty,  it  discloses  to  us  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ,  and  causes  us  to  estimate  more 
highly  the  infinite  preciousness  of  his  blood. 
It  enables  us  to  rectify  errors  in  our  conduct, 
before  they  have  become  dominant  and  in- 
curable ;  and  by  the  most  heart-stirring  con- 
siderations, it  constrains  us  to  live  by  faith, 
and  to  maintain  habitual  peace  and  fellowship 
with  God. 

The  difficulties  with  which  this  duty  is  en- 
compassed render  the  assistance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  absolutely  needful.  Without  his  in- 
fluence, neither  the  natural  sluggishness  of  the 
mind,  nor  the  natural  repugnance  of  the  heart 


78  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

to  spiritual  exercises,  can  be  overcome.  He, 
however,  will  give  energy  to  your  efforts,  and 
fixedness  to  your  thoughts  ;  he  will  direct  your 
inquiries,  awaken  your  conscience,  bring  your 
works  to  remembrance,  shine  into  yom;'  soul, 
lay  open  before  you  the  chambers  of  imagery, 
and  apply,  with  a  quickening  and  illuminating 
power,  the  precepts,  warnings,  and  promises  of 
the  word  of  God.  When,  therefore,  you  enter 
upon  this  solemn  duty,  rely  on  the  influence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  fervently  supplicate  its 
bestowment.  Consider  yourself  as  in  the  im- 
mediate presence  of  the  holy  and  heart-search- 
ing God ;  anticipate  a  judgment  to  come ; 
realize  the  nearness  of  eternity,  contemplate 
its  fearful  alternatives ;  and  with  trembling 
jealousy  over  yourself,  exclaim,  with  the  Psalm- 
ist, "  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart : 
try  ine,  and  know  my  thoughts  :  and  see  if 
there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in 
the  way  everlasting." 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  79 


CHAPTER  V. 

MEANS  OF  PROMOTING  PERSONAL  PIETY  (CON- 
TINUED)—PRAYER,  AND  READING  THE 
SCRIPTURES. 

Among  the  religious  eXercises  to  which  the 
gospel  claims  our  attention,  there  are  none  that 
possess  a  more  interesting  character,  none  that 
are  invested  with  a  higher  importance,  than  the 
duty  of  PRAYER.  In  watchfulness  and  self- 
examination  we  hold  more  immediate  converse 
with  ourselves ;  in  prayer  we  hold  converse 
with  God.  It  is  the  divinely  appointed  means 
by  which  we  gain  access  to  the  eternal  throne, 
there  to  spread  out  our  wants,  and  to  make 
known  our  requests  to  the  monarch  of  the 
universe. 

The  reasons  and  obligations  which  bind 
us  to  this  duty  are  founded  on  the  nature  of 
man.  Man,  as  it  regards  even  his  physical  con- 
dition, is  absolutely  dependant  on  a  superior 
power.  For  the  supply  of  his  daily  wants  he 
is  indebted  to  the  bountiful  Giver  of  all  good ; 
from  him  he  derives  his  capacities  for  enjoy- 
ment, as  well  as  the  bodily  and  mental  vigour 
by  which  he  is  enabled  to  pursue  his  usual 
course  of  occupation.  The  uncertain  tenure  of 
all  temporal  blessings  proves  how  utterly  power- 
less is  the  boasted  strength  of  man,  when  the 
omnipotent  Deity  determines  either  to  im- 
poverish his  resources,  or  to   make    him  the 


80  ADMONITORV   COUNSELS. 

subject  of  calamity  and  sorrow.  What  then 
can  be  more  reasonable  than  that  a  being  thus 
helpless  should  acknowledge  the  supremacy, 
and  implore  the  protection  of  his  Creator  and 
Benefactor  ?  Prayer,  we  might  imagine,  would 
be  the  natural,  the  spontaneous  language  of 
his  heart. 

Man  is  not  only  a  dependant,  but  a  sinful 
creature.  As  a  rebel  against  the  divine  govern- 
ment, he  is  exposed  to  the  threatenings  of 
divine  justice ;  of  himself  he  is  incapable  of 
meeting  the  demands  of  this  justice  ;  and  it  is 
owing  to  the  forbearance  of  God  that  its  terrors 
do  not  overwhelm  him.  "  It  is  of  the  Lord's 
mercies  that  he  is  not  consumed."  Now,  when 
it  is  discovered  to  us  that  this  is  actually  our 
condition, — when  we  feel  that  sin  reigns  over 
us  in  all  its  power,  pollution,  and  guilt,  prayer 
is  the  immediate  result  of  such  a  conviction : 
we  are  impelled  to  it  by  the  stern  dictates  of 
necessity.  Conscious  that  we  have  offended 
God,  we  implore  his  mercy ;  sensible  of  our 
defilement,  we  supplicate  the  renovating  in- 
fluence of  his  grace  ;  feeling  the  spiritual  dark- 
ness with  which  sin  has  blinded  us,  we  ask  for 
that  divine  illumination  which  alone  can  lead 
us  in  the  path  of  holiness  pjid  peace  ;  in 
short,  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  our  spiritual 
destitution  and  wretchedness,  we  apply  to  Him 
who  has  promised  to  enrich  and  gladden  our 
souls  with  the  joys  of  his  salvation.  The 
publican,  when  he  saw  the  magnitude  of  his 
guilt,  and  the  depth  of  his  misery,  could  ex- 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  81 

claim,  without  any  formal  course  of  instruction, 
"  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  This  was 
the  language  of  prayer.  Peter,  when  terrified 
with  the  apprehensions  of  appalling  danger, 
needed  no  exhortation  to  induce  him  to  cry 
out,  "  Master,  save  me,  or  I  perish."  This, 
too,  was  prayer. 

If  the  duty  of  prayer  be  so  obviously  suit- 
able to  the  sinner  conscious  of  his  guilt,  it  is 
not  less  so  to  the  circumstances  and  exigencies 
of  the  children  of  God.  They  have  conflicts 
and  difficulties,  fears  and  sorrows,  which  they 
can  unbosom  only  to  their  heavenly  Father ; 
to  him  they  have  to  look  for  comfort,  strength, 
and  guidance  ;  they  have  wants  which  he  only 
can  supply;  desires  which,  having  been  im- 
planted by  his  Spirit,  can  only  be  satisfied  out 
of  his  own  infinite  fulness.  By  them,  there- 
fore, prayer  is  not  only  acknowledged  to  be  a 
duty  of  paramount  obligation,  but  is  regarded 
as  an  invaluable  privilege.  Living  in  a  world, 
the  spirit  of  which  is  hostile  to  their  religious 
interests  and  feelings,  and  exposed,  as  they  are, 
to  the  assaults  of  the  prince  of  darkness,  how 
could  they  sustain  the  pressure  of  temptation — 
how  could  they  maintain  a  steadfast  adherence 
to  duty,  were  it  not  that  by  pouring  out  their 
hearts  to  God  they  realize  the  blessedness  of 
communion  with  him,  and  obtain  from  him  the 
grace  which  strengthens,  and  the  wisdom  which 
directs  them  ?  When  distressed  with  a  sense  of 
unfaithfulness,  when  mourning  over  their  heart- 
wanderings,  they  would  sink  under  their  load 


82  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

of  grief  and  anxiety,  were  they  not  assured 
that  a  throne  of  grace  is  always  accessible  ;  by 
applying  to  which,  they  may  cast  their  burden 
on  the  Lord,  and  experience  a  renewed  appli- 
cation of  the  blood  of  sprinkling. 

Since  the  necessity  and  obligations  of  prayer 
arise  out  of  the  relation  which  man  bears  to  his 
Creator,  the  efficient  performance  of  the  duty 
will  evidently  depend  on  the  knowledge  we 
possess  of  our  spiritual  state  and  character.  If 
we  are  ignorant  of  ourselves  as  sinners,  if  we 
feel  neither  hungerings  nor  thirstings  after 
righteousness,  we  are  destitute  of  all  those 
motives  and  impressions,  without  which  all  our 
religious  duties  will  be  the  loathsome  offerings 
either  of  hypocrisy  or  of  self-righteousness. 
The  nature  of  prayer  will  be  easily  understood, 
when,  by  searching  into  our  hearts,  we  have 
discovered  the  evils  and  the  wants  which  press 
upon  us ;  then  we  shall  give  fervent  expression 
to  the  desires  which  will  predominate, — desires 
which  will  embrace  all  the  promises  of  God, 
and  which  will  be  satisfied  with  nothing  less 
than  the  fulfilment  of  those  promises  in  their 
plenitude  and  power. 

As  prayer  is  the  act  of  addressing  the  Deity, 
it  is  manifestly  of  supreme  importance  that  the 
supplicant  should  possess  Scriptural  views  of 
the  divine  perfections.  This  is  an  attainment 
which  essentially  enters  into  every  act  of  ra- 
tional devotion.  Indeed,  the  right  knowledge 
of  ourselves  as  sinners  is  so  intimately  con- 
nected with  right  views  of  the  attributes  and 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  83 

government  of  God,  that  the  one  cannot  pro- 
perly exist  without  the  other.  "  He  that 
cometh  unto  God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and 
that  he  is  the  Rewarder  of  them  that  diligently 
seek  hira."  Ignorantly  to  worship  an  unknown 
God  is  to  engage  in  acts  of  superstition,  not 
of  devotion  ;  to  yield  up  our  minds  to  the  delu- 
sions of  false  confidence,  or  to  the  gloomy  and 
dishonourable  suspicions  of  slavish  fear.  The 
self-inflicted  penances,  and  unscriptural  invo- 
cations of  the  Church  of  Rome,  arise  from 
mistaken  views  of  the  character  of  Jehovah. 
When  we  regard  him  as  the  infinite  Spirit,  as 
the  heart-searching  God,  as  the  supreme  Ma- 
jesty, maintaining  a  boundless  dominion,  up- 
held by  the  principles  of  inflexible  justice  and 
eternal  rectitude,  we  shall  then  feel  the  ne- 
cessity of  worshi.pping  him  in  spirit  and  in 
truth ;  we  shall  approach  such  a  Being  with 
reverence  and  with  godly  fear ;  and  while 
presenting  our  petitions,  our  minds  will  be 
filled  with  solemn  awe,  and  with  deep  humiliar. 
tion. 

While  vivid  impressions  of  the  power  and 
holiness  of  Jehovah  are  essential  to  pure  devo- 
tion, it  is  not  exclusively  in  the  aspect  of  a 
Sovereign  and  of  a  Judge  that  the  Deity  must 
be  contemplated.  In  the  Scriptures  his  pater- 
nal relation  is  exhibited  to  us  in  all  its  love- 
liness and  tenderness.  "  Like  as  a  father 
pitieth  his  children,  so  does  the  Lord  pity  them 
that  fear  him."  "God  is  love."  "He  de- 
lighteth  in  mercy."     To  give  encouragement  to 


84:  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

hope,  to  draw  out  the  affections  and  the  desires 
in  earnest  supplication,  the  thoughts  must 
dwell  on  the  infinite  compassion  of  Grod  as  a 
Father ;  and  in  addressing  him  we  must  regard 
him  as  our  bountiful  Benefactor,  as  our  un- 
changeable Friend.  His  benefits  must  be 
remembered  and  acknowledged ;  and  the  good- 
ness which  has  bestowed  them  must  be  the 
object  of  our  gratitude  and  praise.  We  must 
adopt  both  the  sentiments  and  the  words  of  the 
royal  Psalmist,  who,  when  recording  the  faith- 
fulness and  loving-kindness  of  his  God,  seems 
to  have  had  a  heart  overflowing  with  feelings 
of  thankfulness,  so  intense,  as  to  require  all 
the  strength  and  sublimity  of  language  to  give 
them  utterance. 

One  principal  object  in  the  duty  of  prayer 
is  to  realize  the  presence  of  this  Being,  who  is 
so  great,  so  holy,  and  so  good.  Unless  we 
feel  that  God  is  near  to  us  in  all  his  infinite 
perfections,  we  can  neither  experience  the  emo- 
tions, nor  perform  the  duties,  of  a  pure  and 
spiritual  worship ;  but  when  in  prayer  we  are 
deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the  divine 
presence,  with  what  self-abasement,  with  what 
earnestness,  with  what  enlargement  and  confi- 
dence, shall  we  offer  our  petitions  and  our 
thanksgivings  to  him  who  is  the  Giver  of  every 
good  and  perfect  gift!  O,  then,  whenever  you 
engage  in  the  duties  of  the  closet,  endeavour 
10  form  right  apprehensions  of  that  great 
and  glorious  God,  whom  you  are  about 
to    address.     Believe   that    he   is   intimately, 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  85 

though  incomprehensibly  near.  Abstract  your 
thoughts  from  all  that  is  worldly  and  trifling ; 
be  composed  ;  be  calm ;  be  solemn :  thus  let 
your  soul  fall  prostrate  before  the  throne  of 
the  infinite  Majesty. 

But  "  wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the 
Lord,  and  bow  myself  before  the  most  high 
God  ?"  Am  I  warranted  in  making  a  direct 
and  immediate  application  to  Jehovah,  without 
the  intervention  of  some  friendly  Advocate  to 
plead  my  cause  ?  These  are  questions  of  in- 
finite importance ;  questions  which  can  be 
solved  only  by  referring  to  the  oracles  of 
eternal  truth.  Their  testimony  is  that  "  there 
is  one  God,  and  one  Mediator  betwixt  God 
and  man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus."  "  No  man 
cometh  unto  the  Father  but  through  him." 
"  Through  him  we  have  access  by  one  Spirit 
unto  the  Father."  "  He  is  able  to  save  to  the 
uttermost  all  that  come  unto  God  through  him, 
seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for 
them." 

From  the  preceding  statements  it  is  evident, 
that  if  our  applications  to  the  throne  of  grace 
are  to  be  successful,  they  must  be  presented  in 
the  name,  and  through  the  mediation,  of  the 
Son  of  God.  His  sufferings  purchased  for  us 
every  spiritual  blessing,  and  constitute  the 
grounds  of  every  gracious  promise.  He  now 
pleads  those  sufferengs  on  our  behalf.  Exalted 
to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  he  "  now  appears 
In  the  presence  of  God  for  us,"  clothed  in  that 
glorified  humanity,  which,  in  the  season  of  his 


86  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

humiliation,  endured  the  agonies  of  the  cross. 
Nor  has  he  forgotten  the  conflicts  and  the 
sorrows  he  experienced  in  the  days  of  his  flesh. 
"  He  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are, 
yet  without  sin."  He  is,  therefore,  able  to 
succour  them  that  ^re  tempted.  He  enters 
fully  into  the  anxieties  and  fears  of  his  pray- 
ing people ;  he  deeply  sympathizes  with  them 
in  their  difficulties  and  trials ;  in  all  their 
aflflictions  he  is  afflicted.  Thus  the  sympathy 
of  Christ  with  believers  imparts  to  his  interces- 
sion a  peculiar  and  heart-subduing  tenderness, 
while  the  infinite  efficacy  of  his  atonement 
invests  it  with  invariable  prevalence,  and 
insures  its  certain  success. 

Whenever,  therefore,  you  approach  unto  God 
in  prayer,  bear  in  remembrance  that  Christ  is 
your  Advocate  above,  and  that  every  request 
must  be  accompanied  with  an  entire  dependance 
on  him ;  in  his  name,  and  in  his  name  alone, 
are  you  encouraged  to  draw  near  to  God ;  his 
intercession  must  have  your  implicit  affiance ; 
you  must  believe  that  he  is  pleading  effectually 
for  you,  and  that  through  him  your  supplications 
will  be  accepted. 

Some,  who  would  be  wise  above  what  is 
written,  have  contended  that  it  is  presumptuous 
to  suppose  that  God  will  actually  grant  the 
petitions  we  present  to  him,  because  the  suppo- 
sition, they  say,  would  involve  us  in  the 
difficulty  of  admitting,  that  the  divine  proceed- 
ings and  purposes  are  controlled  by  the  prayers 
of  a  weak  and  sinful  creature ;  and  that  the 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  87 

immutability,  as  well  as  the  omnipotence,  of 
God,  render  such  a  result  impossible.  If,  on 
this  question,  we  listen  to  the  sophistries  of  a 
false  philosophy,  they  will  leave  us  in  the  same 
darkness  in  which  they  find  us ;  but  if  we 
attend  to  the  dictates  of  common  sense,  we 
shall  perceive,  that  as  God  is  not  only  un- 
changeable and  omnipotent,  but  infinitely  wise, 
and  just,  and  good, — his  conduct  and  purposes 
toward  those  who  sincerely  perform  the  duties 
he  has  enjoined  must  be  essentially  different 
from  the  course  which  he  adopts  toward  those 
who  disregard  his  authority.  Moreover,  let 
the  impression  be  received,  that  for  God  to 
answer  prayer  is  inconsistent  with  his  perfec- 
tions, and  the  most  powerful  motives  by 
which  we  are  prompted  to  the  exercise  will  at 
once  become  extinct.  It  is  true  that  the  com- 
mand of  God  ought  to  be  sufficient ;  but, 
constituted  as  we  are,  we  need  those  consider- 
ations which  are  addressed,  not  to  our  selfish- 
ness, but  to  our  self-love,  that  we  may  be 
roused  to  the  requisite  exertions.  In  the  pur- 
suit of  any  earthly  object,  nothing  is  so  calcu- 
lated to  stimulate  to  energy  and  constancy  of 
effort  as  the  conviction  that  success  is  certain, 
if  we  properly  employ  the  necessary  means. 
The  strongest  encouragements  to  prayer  arise 
from  the  expectation  which  the  believer  has, 
that  the  blessings  which  he  seeks  will  be 
granted  This  expectation  he  is  warranted  to 
indulge  by  the  precepts  and  promises  of  the 
gospel.     He  is  even  assured  that  the  amount 


88  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

of  benefit  he  may  receive  in  answer  to  prayer 
will  be  proportioned  to  the  degree  of  confidence 
with  which  his  supplications  are  presented. 
Those  declarations  of  Scripture  which  testify 
that  Jehovah  actually  fulfils  the  requests  of 
those  who  offer  up  the  prayer  of  faith,  are  so 
numerous  and  so  explicit,  that  it  is  scarcely  need- 
ful to  quote  them.  The  following  are  worthy 
of  a  most  serious  attention : — "  Whatsoever  ye 
shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  he  will  give 
it  you."  "  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,  that  your 
joy  may  be  full."  "  What  things  soever  ye 
desire,  when  ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  will  re- 
ceive them,  and  ye  shall  have  them."  "All 
things,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  prayer, 
believing,  ye  shall  receive."  Here  we  have 
promises  which  most  unequivocally  affirm,  that 
whatever  spiritual  blessings  we  ask  in  prayer 
will  be  conferred  upon  us  ;  provided  we  "  ask 
in  faith,  nothing  doubting."  The  promises 
must  be  believed ;  must  be  relied  upon ;  must 
be  pleaded ;  and  their  accomplishment  expected 
with  the  most  unwavering  confidence :  nor 
must  this  confidence  be  grounded  on  our  sin- 
cerity, earnestness,  and  constancy  in  prayer ; 
but  on  the  mediation  of  Christ,  and  on  the 
faithfulness  of  God.  Here  we  have  a  founda- 
tion that  is  rational,  Scriptural,  and  unmoveable : 
Christ  has  died;  Christ  intercedes:  God  is 
true ;  God  is  love.  With  these  facts  before 
us,  we  may,  according  to  our  spiritual  wants 
and  circumstances,  appropriate  each  gracious 
promise  to  ourselves,  and  rejoice  in  the  pleni- 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  89 

tude  of  those  blessings  which  are  secured  to  us 
by  the  word  and  oath  of  the  Eternal. 

"  Let  not  that  man"  (that  doubteth)  "  think 
that  he  shall  receive  any  thing  of  the  Lord." 
This  is  the  declaration  of  an  inspired  apostle. 
It  is  not  only  the  expression  of  divine  autho- 
rity, but  of  reason  and  justice.  He  who 
believes  not  the  truth  of  God,  dishonours  and 
insults  him.  Moreover,  if  our  prayers  be 
offered  in  unbelief,  despondency  and  discou- 
ragement will  paralyze  our  powers  and  extin- 
guish our  desires ;  there  will  be  neither  boldness 
nor  importunity,  neither  pleading  nor  wrestling 
with  God.  Wearied  with  unprofitable  labour, 
the  excitement  which  has  prompted  it  will 
gradually  subside  ;  and  the  anxiety  which  has 
been  felt  will  be  displaced  by  that  insensibility 
which  is  one  fearful  peculiarity  of  the  carnal 
mind :  unbelief  is  the  cause  of  this.  If  the 
feelings  of  devotion  have  been  possessed, 
unbelief  has  deadened  them ;  if  the  ardour  of 
desire  has  been  excited,  unbelief  has  suppressed 
it.  Approach  God  with  trembling,  but  not 
with  the  trembling  that  arises  from  doubts  and 
suspicions  of  your  heavenly  Father's  willing- 
ness to  sanctify  and  save  you ;  approach  him 
with  boldness,  with  the  boldness  of  humble 
confidence,  and  of  steadfast  hope ;  the  faith 
that  lays  hold  of  his  promise  he  will  reward 
with  the  choicest  of  his  blessings. 

May  this  certain  anticipation  of  an  answer 
to  prayer  extend  to  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual 
concerns  ?     This  is  an  interesting  and  an  im- 


90  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

portant  question.  With  proper  limitations,  I 
should  unhesitatingly  reply,  Yes.  I  say,  with 
proper  limitations.  "And  this  is  the  confi- 
dence that  we  have  in  him,  that  if  we  ask  any 
thing  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us." 
Now,  respecting  spiritual  blessings,  we  have 
the  most  explicit  declarations  that  it  is  the  will 
of  God  that  we  should  abound  in  love  and 
hope,  in  peace  and  joy.  In  praying  for  these 
divine  attainments,  therefore,  we  may  cherish 
the  most  undoubting  assurance  of  success.  But 
respecting  our  temporal  condition  and  prospects, 
his  purposes  are  not  so  specifically,  nor  so 
explicitly,  stated.  In  general  terms,  great  and 
precious  promises  are  given  to  us,  in  reference 
to  the  present  life.  "  Call  upon  me  in  the' day 
of  trouble,  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shall 
glorify  me."  Let  the  afflicted  believer  confi- 
dently plead  this  promise  in  prayer,  and  the 
promise  will  certainly  be  fulfilled,  perhaps  by 
the  removal  of  the  burden ;  perhaps,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  apostle,  by  communicating  such  a 
measure  of  grace  as  will  enable  the  sufferer  to 
"  glory  in  his  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ 
may  rest  upon  him."  Let  us  suppose  the  case 
of  a  Christian  who  is  in  perplexity  as  to  the 
course  he  should  pursue,  relative  to  some  event 
which  bears  closely  on  his  interests  and  happi- 
ness, but  in  which  the  path  of  duty  and  of 
providence  is  either  veiled  in  obscurity,  or  in- 
volved in  doubt.  He  naturally  seeks  direction 
in  prayer:  it  would  be  folly  for  him,  in  his 
blindness,  to  set  his  heart  on   any  particular 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  91 

turn  of  circumstances,  which  he  may  think 
would  operate  in  his  favour.  But  he  may, 
with  certainty,  expect  the  fulfilment  of  such 
promises  as  the  following ;  and  then  his  path 
will  be  both  safe,  and  honourable,  and  happy  : — 
"  The  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the 
Lord."  "  I  will  instruct  thee  and  teach  thee 
in  the  way  which  thou  shalt  go ;  I  will  guide 
thee  with  mine  eye."  "  All  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God." 

There  is  one  promise  so  comprehensive  and 
explicit,  that  it  might  be  supposed  to  admit  of 
no  restriction,  but  that  it  warranted  us  to  exer- 
cise an  assured  expectation  of  our  receiving 
whatever  we  might  request  of  God,  whether 
it  were  a  temporal  or  a  spiritual  blessing : — "  If 
ye  abide  in  me,  and  my  words  abide  in  you,  ye 
shall  ask  what  ye  will,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto 
you."  This  declaration,  which  at  first  sight 
appears  to  give  an  unlimited  license,  is,  in  fact, 
most  closely  and  securely  guarded  against  the 
abuse  to  which,  by  our  selfishness,  it  might 
have  been  perverted.  ^^  If  ye  abide  in  me,  and 
my  words  abide  in  you:^^  here  we  have  the 
characteristics  of  those  to  whom  the  promise  is 
given.  And  what  will  be  the  most  intense 
desires  of  those  who  abide  in  Christ,  and  who 
have  his  words  abiding  in  them  ?  The  desire 
of  their  hearts  will  be,  "  that  God  in  all  things 
may  be  glorified  ;"  and  that  their  "  wills"  may 
be  guided  by  his  will.  Their  intimate  union 
with  Christ,  and  the  indwelling  of  his  words 
in  them,  will  impart  that  purity  of  mind,  that 


ft2  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

tenderness  of  conscience,  that  supreme  love 
to  God,  which  will  render  them  scrupulously 
fearful,  lest  in  things  that  are  not  revealed, 
they  should  encroach  on  the  divine  prerogative, 
or  dictate  to  infinite  wisdom,  by  making 
requests  which  would  be  inconsistent  with 
the  designs  of  God  concerning  them.  Ad- 
mitting that  we  have  permission  to  adopt 
this  and  other  similar  promises,  in  their 
most  unqualified  sense,  it  is  nevertheless 
obvious  that  we  ought  to  be  extremely  cau- 
tious in  the  use  of  our  liberty.  Though  we 
might  not  ask  for  any  thing  that  is  expressly 
forbidden  in  the  word  of  God,  yet,  unless  we 
were  infallible  in  judgment,  and  perfect  in 
knowledge,  we  could  not  be  guilty  of  greater 
folly  and  presumption  than  to  pray  uncondi- 
tionally for  those  things  that  are  temporal 
which  toe  might  consider  essential  to  our 
**  good."  Nor  could  a  greater  calamity  befall 
us  than  to  have  every  such  request  literally  ful- 
filled. The  constant  protection,  guidance,  and 
blessing  of  God  are  most  faithfully  promised 
to  his  people,  and  may,  therefore,  be  confidently 
expected ;  but  in  those  particular  cases  and 
events,  in  our  personal  and  domestic  history, 
in  reference  to  which  the  will  of  God  is  not 
specified,  a  firm  trust  in  his  rectitude,  and  sub- 
mission to  his  authority,  are  at  once  our  interest 
and  our  duty.  If  we  sacrifice  our  own  feelings 
and  our  own  selfishness,  if  our  only  aim  be  to 
serve  and  honour  him  in  all  things,  we  may 
then  safely  commit  our  concerns  to  his  care,  and 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  93 

repose  entire  reliance  on  his  wisdom  and  love. 
If  we  leave  ourselves  in  his  hands,  his  wisdom 
will  direct  us,  his  love  will  overshadow  us. 

It  is  not  for  the  supply  of  your  own  wants 
merely,  nor  for  your  own  salvation  exclusively, 
that  you  are  to  present  your  petitions  to  God. 
The  spirit  of  prayer  and  the  spirit  of  selfish- 
ness are  utterly  incompatible.  Having  felt 
your  own  wretched  state  as  a  sinner,  you  can- 
not but  commiserate  the  condition  of  those  who 
are  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death ; 
and  this  commiseration  will  prompt  you  to  inter- 
cede at  the  footstool  of  mercy  on  behalf  of 
perishing  sinners.  Pray  for  the  conversion  of 
those  around  you ;  pray  that  your  country 
may  be  filled  with  that  righteousness  which 
"  exalteth  a  ntition ;"  pray  that  the  world 
may  be  delivered  from  the  darkening  and  de- 
grading influence  of  error  and  of  sin ;  and 
plead  with  confidence  those  divine  oracles 
which  predict  the  universal  triumph  of  truth 
and  holiness.  Implore  the  divine  blessing  on 
all  evangelical  missionaries,  and  missionary 
institutions  ;  on  the  circulation  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  of  religious  tracts  ;  on  sabbath  school 
instruction  ;  and,  in  short,  on  all  the  means  and 
agents  employed  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel,  both  at  home  and  abroad.  Pray  that 
every  Christian  church  may  be  favoured  with 
perpetual  purity,  peace,  and  enlargement,  and 
that  efiiciency  may  be  given  to  the  labours  of 
all  the  faithful  ministers  of  Christ. 

As  a  Methodist,  you  will   offer  up   special 


94  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

and  fervent  supplications  on  behalf  of  the 
ministers,  institutions,  and  various  interests 
of  your  own  religious  community.  Nor  will 
you  fail  to  make  a  distinct  and  affectionate 
remembrance  of  the  ministers  and  members  of 
ihe  society  with  which  you  are  connected. 

The  natural  feelings  of  your  heart,  sanctified 
by  religion,  will  also  dictate  daily  and  earnest 
intercessions  for  your  immediate  relatives  and 
intimate  friends,  more  particularly  when  they 
are  placed  in  circumstances  of  anxiety  or  of 
suffering. 

While  imploring  blessings  on  your  fellow- 
creatures,  you  will  not  only  be  acting  in  obe- 
dience to  the  benevolent  injunctions  of  the 
gospel,  but  you  will  be  instrumental  in  com- 
municating the  richest  benefits  to  those  who 
may  be  the  objects  of  your  sympathy.  In 
praying  for  the  spiritual  good  of  others,  you 
may  pray  with  the  conviction  that  you  are  heard 
by  Him  who  would  have  every  human  being  to 
bear  his  image  and  to  partake  of  his  favour. 
"  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous 
man  availeth  much." 

Prayer  ought  to  be,  and  doubtless  might  be, 
invariably  offered  with  fervour  and  freedom  ; 
but,  alas  !  how  often  have  we  to  complain  of 
listlessness  and  languor!  How  frequently  do 
coldness  and  distraction  darken  our  minds,  and 
deaden  our  feelings  !  Too  often  is  it  the  case 
that  we  have  to  take  up  as  a  cross  that  which 
ought  always  to  be  enjoyed  as  a  privilege.  Is 
this  necessary  ?     Certainly  not.     We  are  com- 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  95 

manded  to  "  pray  without  ceasing ;"  and  as  a 
literal  obedience  to  this  precept  is  impracticable, 
and,  therefore,  cannot  be  intended,  we  may  con- 
clude that  one  design  of  it  is  to  assure  us  of 
the  possibility,  as  well  as  to  enforce  the  obliga- 
tion, of  our  constantly  possessing  the  spirit  of 
prayer. 

The  spirit  of  prayer  consists  of  the  preva- 
lence of  those  desires  and  impressions  which 
at  aU  times  render  the  duty  welcome  and 
delightful,  and  under  the  influence  of  which 
we  address  God  with  humble  boldness  and 
wrestling  earnestness.  To  maintain  these 
desires  and  impressions  in  constant  opera- 
tion, is  an  object  of  the  utmost  importance; 
and,  indeed,  a  matter  of  imperative  necessity. 
I  trust  that,  by  attending  to  the  following 
directions,  you  will  be  enabled  to  prevent  the 
declensior^  of  those  feelings,  without  which 
prayer  will  be  unmeaning  verbiage,  and 
every  act  of  devotion  an  act  of  lifeless 
formality. 

Let  me,  first,  advise  you  to  secure  adequate 
opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  prayer.  If, 
from  the  pressure  of  worldly  or  domestic 
engagements,  or  from  any  other  cause,  you 
allow  your  seasons  for  retirement  to  be  few 
and  brief,  ihe  ardour  of  desire  will  be  quenched. 
Nothing  is  more  calculated  to  extinguish  the 
flame  of  devotion  than  a  hurried  and  super- 
ficial performance  of  closet  duties.  Moreover, 
to  enter  fully  into  our  wants  and  circumstances, 
and  to  give  such  utterance  to  our  desires  as  will 


96  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

show  that  we  really  value  the  blessings  which 
we  seek,  will  require  time  :  but  when  a  very- 
few  hasty  moments,  and  a  very  few  hasty  ex- 
pressions, are  made  to  suffice,  there  can  be  no 
explicit  statement  of  our  spiritual  necessities ; 
and  when  such  a  practice  becomes  a  fixed 
habit,  it  indicates  a  strange  indifference  to 
those  great  and  precious  promises  which  are 
given  to  those  who,  by  fervent  and  enlarged 
petitions,  make  known  their  requests  unto 
God. 

Endeavour,  therefore,  so  to  arrange  your 
occupations  and  engagements  as  to  be  able 
to  appropriate  a  proper  portion  of  time  to 
closet  duties.  If  you  can,  for  this  purpose, 
appoint  and  observe  a  fixed  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing and  also  in  the  evening,  so  much  the 
better ;  but,  if  such  a  regulation  is  impracti- 
cable, it  is  not  obligatory.  The  precise  hour 
is  not  of  so  much  consequence  as  the  space  of 
time  that  is  occupied  in  these  sacred  exercises. 
How  long  this  space  should  be  must  be  deter- 
mined by  your  own  circumstances,  and  the  dic- 
tates of  an  enlightened  conscience.  If  you 
have  time  fully  at  your  own  command,  and  are 
really  athirst  for  salvation,  you  will  not  deem 
an  hour  in  the  morning  and  an  hour  in  the 
evening  too  much  to  be  devoted  to  prayer, 
reading  the  Scriptures,  and  self-examination. 
But  how  many  are  there  whose  restrictions 
render  it  almost,  if  not  quite,  impossible  to 
employ  even  one  entire  hour  daily  in  the  ex- 
ercises of  devotion  !    Should  these  difficulties 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  97 

be  yours,  Remember  that  Grod  is  thoroughly- 
acquainted  with  them ;  and  whatever  may  be 
their  nature,  if  you  conscientiously  endeavour 
to  surmount  them,  he  will,  in  due  time,  make 
your  way  plain,  by  removing  those  hinderances 
which  now  encompass  and  discourage  you  ;  and 
if  your  present  obstacles  should  continue,  and 
are  not  needlessly  magnified,  nor  pleaded  as  an 
excuse  for  sloth  and  negligence,  your  heavenly 
Father  will  richly  compensate  you  for  the  self- 
denial  and  decision  you  may  have  to  practise. 
He  does  not  require  impossibilities ;  but  he 
demands  that  which  is  possible,  even  if  it  be 
at  the  cost  of  some  personal  sacrifice.  Only  be 
faithful  and  you  shall  in  nowise  lose  your 
reward.  On  reflection,  you  will,  perhaps,  dis- 
cover, that  if  all  the  time  which,  previously  to 
your  conversion,  was  squandered  in  loitering, 
in  the  indulgence  of  vain  thoughts,  and  in 
frivolous  gossip,  were  now  duly  appreciated  and 
improved,  you  would  not  be  destitute  of  oppor- 
tunities for  private  devotion.  By  also  limiting 
the  hours  of  sleep  to  what  may  be  strictly 
necessary  for  health,  as  well  as  by  industr}''  in 
your  calling,  you  will  be  able  to  secure  some 
portions  of  the  day,  which  you  may  justly  call 
your  own,  and  which,  without  encroaching  on 
the  rights  of  others,  you  may  consistently 
and  profitably  consecrate  to  communion  with 
yourself,  and  with  your  God. 

Let  me  earnestly    recommend  you   to   imitate 
the  examples  of  David  and  Daniel,  by  retiring, 
not  only  morning  and  evening,  hit  at  noonday, 
7 


98  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

for  the  purpose  of  presenting  your  supplications 
to  your  heavenly  Father.  If  your  mid-day 
retirement  be  but  for  ten,  or  even  for  five 
minutes,  you  will  find  it  to  exert  a  power- 
fully quickening  and  refreshing  influence  ;  nor 
will  this  influence  be  the  less  beneficial  to 
yourself,  should  your  petitions  on  this  occasion 
consist  entirely  of  intercessions  on  behalf  of 
others.  By  thus  allotting  the  subjects  of  pray- 
er to  their  separate  and  appropriate  seasons  in 
the  course  of  each  day,  you  will  be  freed  from 
the  necessity  of  protrc^cting  each  exercise  to 
any  disproportionate  length. 

Cultivate  the  habit  of  ejaculatory  prayer. 
This  is  within  the  power  of  every  one.  At  all 
times  it  is  seasonable,  and  in  all  places  practi- 
cable. It  need  not  hinder  any  lawful  employ- 
ment, nor  interfere  with  any  relative  duty.  It 
is  a  mighty  weapon  against  temptation  ;  and,  in 
the  midst  of  worldly  distractions,  it  recalls  the 
heart  from  its  wanderings,  and  sweetly  soothes 
its  anxieties ;  it  effectually  checks  the  first 
encroachments  of  sin,  and  raises  the  soul  to 
uninterrupted  intercourse  with  God.  By  this 
sinaple  but  ready  expedient,  you  will  secure 
unceasing  communications  of  divine  illumina- 
tion and  strength,  and  be  able  to  preserve  that 
calmness  and  seriousness  of  feeling  so  essen- 
tial to  your  religious  advancement.  Indeed, 
nothing  so  surely  indicates,  nor  so  power- 
fully promotes  spirituality  of  mind,  as  the 
habit  of  frequently  lifting  up  the  heart  to 
God  in  short  and  fervent  supplications.     Nor 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  99 

can  the  A'alue  of  such  a  habit  be  too  highly 
appreciated  as  a  means  of  keeping  the  heart  in 
a  state  of  constant  preparation  for  the  more 
lengthened  exercise  of  devotion. 

If  you  would  maintain  the  spirit  of  prayer, 
carefully  avoid  bringing  guilt  upon  your  con- 
science. It  is  needless  to  attempt  to  prove 
that  the  shame,  darkness,  and  defilement  which 
accompany  a  sense  of  guilt,  will  produce  a 
lamentable  unfitness  of  mind  for  drawing  near 
to  God.  The  confidence  which  he  requires  in 
prayer  is  in  such  circumstances  lost ;  and  at  a 
time  when  the  necessities  of  the  soul  are 
most  urgent,  its  reluctance  to  seek  their  re- 
moval is  almost  unconquerable.  That  you 
may  be  exempted  from  such  melancholy 
results,  you  must  not  only  abstain  from 
flagrant  acts  of  transgression,  but  you  must 
perpetually  watch  against  all  the  infirmities 
of  your  nature.  Guard  especially  against  vain 
thoughts,  unholy  tempers,  worldly  anxieties, 
and  unprofitable  conversation  :  these  are  evils 
which  most  effectually  disincline  and  dis- 
qualify the  heart  for  the  exercises  of  devotion. 
Cultivate  a  holy  tenderness  of  conscience, 
which  will  render  you  keenly  alive  to  every 
approach  of  spiritual  danger,  as  well  as 
susceptible  of  the  feeblest  influence  of  tempta- 
tion. While  you  sedulously  strive  to  keep 
your  heart  free  from  the  defilement  of  actual 
sin,  be  equally  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  every 
personal  and  social  obligation.  Whenever  an 
opportunity  of  doing  good    is  favourably  pre- 


100  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

sented,  embrace  and  improve  it.  Let  the 
means  and  talents  which  God  has  given  you 
be  diligently  employed  in  his  service.  If,  from 
considerations  of  selfishness  or  of  false  shame, 
you  shrink  from  the  performance  of  plain  and 
imperative  duty,  the  consequence  will  be  a 
sense  of  alienation  from  God,  which  will  divest 
prayer  of  its  attractions,  or  which  will,  more 
properly  speaking,  excite  within  you  repug- 
nance toward  an  exercise  which  ought  to  bo 
entered  upon  with  earnestness  and  delight. 
That  you  may  keep  your  mind  clear  of  the 
self-reproaches  of  guilt,  you  must  be  watchful. 
There  is  a  strong  reciprocal  influence  between 
watchfulness  and  prayer.  They  stimulate  and 
strengthen  each  other  ;  nor  can  the  spirit  of 
prayer  exist  without  the  habit  of  watchfulness. 
They  are  inseparable.  Obey,  then,  the  com- 
mands of  your  divine  Master.  "  Watch  and 
pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation."  Do  this, 
and  your  general  frame  of  mind  will  be  devo- 
tional, and  in  your  approaches  to  the  throne  of 
grace  you  will  realize  the  presence  and  power 
of  Jehovah. 

Despise  not  any  lawful  means,  however  appa- 
rently insignificant,  of  overcoming  the  difficulties 
you  may  experience  in  devotional  duties.  Dulness 
and  distraction  in  prayer  may  sometimes  be 
the  result  of  physical  causes.  Long  continued 
bodily  or  mental  exertion  may  so  exhaust  the 
spirits,  as  to  incapacitate  us  for  any  vigorous 
effort  of  a  religious  nature.  Bodily  indisposi- 
tion will,  at  times,  exert  an  unfavourable  in- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         101 

fluence.  Drowsiness  will  also  cause  a  state 
of  stupor  and  inertness.  To  prevent  this  last- 
mentioned  evil,  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
defer  the  devotional  exercises  of  the  evening, 
until  the  frame  is  so  wearied,  as  to  be  unequal 
to  the  duty.  When  your  difficulties  arise  from 
other  sources,  they  may  often  be  removed  by 
praying  in  an  audible  voice  :  this  has  a  power- 
ful effect  in  rousing  and  fixing  the  attention. 
When  such  a  practice  is  inexpedient,  try  a 
change  of  position.  Either  standing,  or  pacing 
to  and  fro  in  your  apartment,  will  often  enable 
you  to  collect  and  compose  your  thoughts.  In 
case  of  sickness,  the  posture  which  is  most 
easy  to  yourself  will  be  most  acceptable  to 
God ;  but  to  those  who  are  in  a  state  of  health 
and  wakefulness,  kneeling  is  the  most  seemly 
attitude  in  which  to  address  the  Deity.  While 
kneeling,  it  is  better  to  keep  the  body  in  an 
upright  position,  so  that  there  may  be  no  in- 
dication of  sloth  or  self-indulgence ;  and  in 
order  in  such  exercises  to  preserve  the  mind 
from  the  influence  of  external  objects,  the  eyes 
should  be  closed.  Let  it  not  be  imagined  that 
these  things  are  enjoined  as  matters  of  invari- 
able duty :  they  are  simply  suggested  for  con- 
sideration and  trial.  Your  own  experience  and 
judgment  must  determine  the  extent  of  their 
adoption. 

That  you  may  possess  the  spirit  of  prayer,  ex- 
ercise an  humble  dependance  on  divine  iujluence. 
Never  forget  that  the  spirit  of  prayer  is  the  gift 
of  God.    It  is,  nevertheless,  an  attainment  tha* 


102        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

you  must  diligently  seek  and  cultivate  ;  bearing 
in  remembrance  that  the  views,  desires,  and 
impressions  which  are  essential  to  its  existence, 
are  the  result  of  divine  agency.  Upon  this 
agency,  therefore,  you  must  depend  for  that 
illumination  which  will  make  you  acquainted 
with  your  own  character,  and  also  With  the 
character  of  God.  Upon  this  agency  you 
must  depend  not  only  for  exciting  those 
desires  and  emotions,  the  expression  of  which 
constitutes  the  act  of  supplication,  but  also 
for  that  confidence,  humiliation,  and  fervour, 
which  belong  to  a  truly  spiritual  worship. 
When  you  pray,  you  must  "pray  in  the  Holy 
Ghost."  By  resigning  yourself  to  his  govern- 
ment, your  thoughts  will  be  under  proper 
restraint ;  the  flame  of  devotion  will  be  en- 
kindled, and  its  blessedness  experienced ;  you 
will  be  admitted  to  delightful  intercourse  with 
heaven ;  God  himself  will  visit  you,  and  the 
light  of  his  countenance  will  shine  upon  you. 

The  distraction  and  deadness  in  devotion 
which  are  so  often  complained  of,  frequently 
arise  from  the  self-sufiiciency  with  which  we 
enter  upon  the  duty.  We  too  often  attempt  it 
in  our  own  strength.  Nor  do  we  properly  re- 
cognise the  fact  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  present 
to  help  our  infirmities,  to  enlighten  and  invigo- 
rate our  minds.  We  are  not  adequately  im- 
pressed with  the  conviction,  that  unless  he 
assist  us  in  prayer,  we  "  can  do  nothing." 
When,  therelore,  you  are  labouring  under  dark- 
ness and  deadness  in  your  closet  exercises, 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        103 

remember  that  while  subordinate  means  of  re- 
moving them  are  both  allowable  and  obligatory, 
the  only  efficient  means  of  being  quickened 
and  illuminated,  is  to  rely  on  the  promised 
agency  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

This  reliance  on  the  agency  of  the  Spirit  is  es- 
pecially needful  in  those  cases  of  difficulty  which 
arise  from  satanic  influence.  The  malice  and 
power  of  Satan  are  often  vigorously  employed 
for  the  purpose  of  obstructing  our  intercourse 
with  God.  If  the  great  enemy  can  indispose 
our  hearts  to  devotional  exercises ;  if  he  can 
excite  a  disrelish  for  them,  or  prevail  upon  us 
to  think  lightly  of  them,  he  has  gained  an 
immense,  an  awful  advantage.  I  doubt  not 
but  many  of  the  strange  thoughts  and  impres- 
sions which  sometimes  so  suddenly  and  forcibly 
seize  the  mind  in  prayer,  are  injected  by  this 
artful  and  malignant  being.  If  he  can  induce 
a  habit  of  forgetfulness  or  inattention ;  if  he  can 
weary  out  our  patience  by  multiplying  our  con- 
flicts ;  if  he  can  reconcile  us  to  the  formal 
practice  of  devotion,  without  its  vitality  and 
power,  he  has  gained  his  point,  and  will  then 
gladly  allow  us  to  bear  the  name  of  Christian, 
and  even  to  maintain  a  sanctimonious  profession 
of  religion.  Having  obtained  possession  of  the 
citadel,  he  will  have  no  objection  to  the  out- 
works exhibiting  the  aspect  of  peace  and  secu- 
rity. That  you  may  repel  the  assaults  of  this 
evil  one,  you  must  be  "  strengthened  with  all 
might  by  the  Spirit  in  the  inner  man :"  when, 
in  prayer,  "  the  enemy  cometh  in  like  a  flood. 


104        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  can  alone  lift  up  the 
standard"  of  victory  "  against  him." 

It  will  not  be  improper  to  remind  you,  that 
the  assistance  of  the  Spirit  in  prayer  may  not 
always  res.ult  in  fluency  of  speech.  The  "  in- 
tercession" which  "he  makes  for  the  saints," 
by  exciting  and  directing  their  minds,  may 
sometimes  be  productive  of  "  groanings  which 
cannot  be  uttered."  There  may  be  that  over- 
powering sense  of  the  divine  majesty,  and  of 
our  own  unworthiness,  and  that  intense  longing 
after  spiritual  blessings,  which  can  find  no 
adequate  expression  in  the  compass  of  human 
language ;  but  prostrate  and  speechless  before 
God,  the  heart  can  ascend  to  him  only  in  sighs, 
and  groans,  and  tears.  Words  cannot  reach 
the  depth  of  its  emotions,  nor  imbody  the  ful- 
ness of  its  feelings. 

How  powerful  are  the  inducements,  how 
weighty  the  obligations,  how  abundant  the  en- 
couragements which  constrain  us  to  fervent  and 
believing  prayer !  Time  would  fail,  language 
would  fail,  in  attempting  to  enumerate  its  ad- 
vantages. Viewed  simply  as  an  exercise  of 
intellectual  and  religious  discipline,  its  benefits 
are  incalculable.  It  requires  that  fixedness  of 
attention,  that  concentration  of  thought,  which 
gives  tone  and  vigour  to  the  mental  powers ; 
and  by  leading  them  to  the  contemplation  of 
spiritual  objects,  it  elevates  and  enlarges  the 
sphere  of  intellectual  vision ;  while  the  con- 
stancy which  ought  to  mark  our  observance  of 
the  duty  will  exert  a  powerful  influence  on  our 


ADMOMTORY    COUNSELS.  105 

general  character,  by  imparting  to  it  decision, 
ensuring  its  consistency,  and  thereby  heighten- 
ing its  excellence  and  value.  Moreover,  those 
sentiments  and  impressions  which  are  essential 
to  prayer,  by  being  frequently  brought  into 
operation,  acquire  the  power  of  established 
principles,  supplanting  the  evil  propensities  of 
the  carnal  mind,  and  assuming  their  rightful 
ascendency  in  the  heart.  Our  hatred  to  sin 
will  necessarily  by  strengthened  by  the  oft-re- 
peated remembrance  and  sorrowful  confession 
of  our  iniquities  before  God.  The  daily  per- 
ception of  our  manifold  wants  and  dangers,  with 
the  consequent  acknowledgment  of  our  absolute 
dependance  on  divine  mercy,  will  naturally 
tend  to  the  destruction  of  our  pride,  and  to 
sink  us  in  the  depths  of  self-abasement.  Our 
gratitude  and  love  to  God  will  obviously  become 
more  intense  and  more  permanent,  by  often  re- 
calling the  unmerited  favours  conferred  upon 
us,  and  by  often  uttering  the  praises  and  thanks- 
givings which  our  sense  of  obligation  will  im- 
peratively dictate.  And  how  abundantly  will 
our  faith  be  invigorated  by  our  frequently  re- 
posing that  sure  confidence  in  the  Redeemer 
and  in  his  promises,  which  is  so  essential  an 
element  of  that  prayer  which  avails  with  God ! 
Numerous  and  valuable  as  are  the  beneficial 
effects  immediately  resulting  from  the  exercise 
of  prayer,  these  are  not  the  only  nor  indeed 
the  most  important  of  its  advantages.  Prayer 
not  only  exerts  a  highly  salutary  influence  on 
our  minds,  but  it  actually  procures  the  bless- 


106        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

ings  which  we  supplicate  and  need.  Nor  can 
the  believer  ascertain  in  this  world  the  extent 
of  privileges  bestowed  upon  him  in  answer  to 
prayer.  Eternity  alone  can  unfold  to  him  the 
calamities,  temptations,  and  sorrows,  from 
which  he  is  now  exempted,  in  consequence  of 
his  laying  before  God  the  circumstances  that 
perplex,  and  the  heavier  trials  that  threaten 
him.  By  his  prayerfuiness,  he  ensures  his  pre- 
servation from  innumerable  snares,  his  rescue 
from  many  an  unseen  danger.  Blessings,  rich 
beyond  the  power  of  human  calculation,  are 
given  unto  him  in  fulfilment  of  those  promises 
which  are  made  to  believing  prayer.  A  con- 
stant increase  of  light,  purity,  strength,  and 
peace,  an  unspeakable  joy,  a  triumphant  hope, 
a  closer  and  yet  closer  conformity  to  the  divine 
image,  are  among  the  legitimate  fruits  of  prayer. 
With  what  certainty  will  you  vanquish  Satan ! 
with  what  stern  and  successful  defiance  will 
you  resist  the  fascinations  of  sin  !  with  what 
constancy  will  you  proceed  to  the  glory  that 
awaits  you,  if  you  continue  instant  in  prayer ! 
Be  faithful  then  in  the  performance  of  this 
sacred  duty.  Let  no  worldly  claims  hinder, 
let  no  diflSculties  dishearten,  let  no  infernal  de- 
vices beguile  you.  In  spite  of  every  obstacle, 
unmoved  by  manifold  temptations,  under  the 
pressure  of  affliction,  in  the  midst  of  multifa- 
rious engagements,  persevere  in  prayer ;  pray 
without  ceasing.  Be  minute  in  the  statement 
of  your  wants.  Lay  your  circumstances  fully 
and  distinctly  before  God.     Tell  him  all  your 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        107 

anxieties.  Mention  your  besetting  sins.  Con- 
fess your  secret  faults.  Thus  unreservedly  open 
your  heart  to  God ;  and  he  will  communicate 
to  you  the  riches  of  his  grace,  out  of  his  infinite 
fulness.  Persist  in  prayer,  in  fervent  believing 
prayer,  and  you  shall  trample  upon  sin  and 
death,  and  put  to  flight  the  armies  of  hell ; 
persist  in  prayer,  and  all  things  shall  be  yours : 
if  needful,  the  world  shall  be  yours ;  with  in- 
dubitable certainty,  heaven  with  its  transcendent 
glories  shall  be  yours ;  Christ,  in  the  magni- 
tude of  his  power  and  of  his  love,  shall  be 
yours,  and  God  shall  be  all  in  all. 

I  have  now  to  direct  your  attention  to  a  duty 
which,  to  every  pious,  enlightened,  and  in- 
quiring mind,  is  peculiarly  interesting,  as  well 
as  supremely  important.  The  duty  to  which  I 
refer  is  that  of  searching  the  Scriptures. 
The  book  which  we  term  "  the  Bible"  is  the 
word  of  the  living  God.  This  book  communi- 
cates all  the  requisite  information  respecting  our 
duty  and  our  happiness.  It  contains  a  clear 
and  comprehensive  announcement  of  the  law  of 
God ;  faithfully  informs  us  of  our  fallen  and 
perishing  condition ;  reveals  to  us  the  method 
which  God  has  devised  for  our  recovery ;  ap- 
points the  means  which  we  are  to  use  for  our 
restoration  to  the  divine  favour ;  warns  us  of 
the  awful  consequences  of  rejecting  the  proflTer- 
ed  mercy ;  and  gives  promises  of  present  ac- 
ceptance and  future. recompense  to  every  peni- 
tent believer.  It  fortels  the  proceedings  of  a 
judgment  to  come  ;   describes  the  horrors  of 


108        ADMONITORy  COUNSKLS. 

hell,  and  the  glories  of  heaven.  How  sublime, 
how  momentous,  are  the  truths  of  God's  word ! 
How  powerful  are  its  claims  to  our  serious  in- 
vestigation, to  our  thankful  reception  ! 

By  this  all-sufficient  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice your  religious  opinions  must  be  formed, 
your  religious  experience  tested,  and  your 
whole  conduct  governed.  Through  its  medium 
alone  can  you  become  savingly  acquainted  with 
the  character  of  God,  and  with  the  person  and 
offices  of  Christ.  When  the  Holy  Spirit  acts 
upon  you,  it  is  by  the  instrumentality  of  the 
truth.  When  he  comforts,  enlightens,  and 
sanctifies,  it  is  by  the  application  of  truth  to  the 
heart. 

An  enlarged  and  experimental  acquaintance 
with  the  Scriptures  is  the  only  effectual  pre- 
servative from  error.  When  persons  professing 
sound  principles  turn  aside  from  them  in  or- 
der to  embrace  any  of  the  dangerous  delusions 
now  prevalent,  the  defection  may  almost  inva- 
riably be  attributed  to  a  partial  and  superficial 
knowledge  of  the  word  of  God.  When  the 
mind  is  well  furnished  with  the  arguments  and 
statements  which  the  sacred  oracles  supply,  it 
can  more  speedily  detect,  and  more  easily  re- 
fute, those  sophistries  by  which  error  is  at- 
tempted to  be  palmed  on  human  credulity. 
Divine  truth  possesses  a  power  peculiarly  its 
own.  When  made  the  subject  of  diligent  and 
prayerful  investigation,  it  acquires  an  authority 
over  the  conscience  which  the  lofty  pretensions 
of  error  cannot  dethrone ;  and  diffuses  a  light 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        109 

through  the  understanding  which  the  darkness 
of  error  cannot  overpower. 

A  comprehensive  acquaintance  with  the 
Scriptures  is  necessary  in  order  that  our  hearts 
may  Ije  established  in  the  doctrines  of  the  gos- 
pel, that  our  hope  may  rest  on  its  right  founda- 
tion, and  that  our  peace  may  flow  from  its  only 
legitimate  source,  Christ  and  him  crucified. 
He  who  properly  studies  his  Bible  is  led  to  see 
the  harmony  and  beauty  of  revealed  truth ;  he 
perceives  that  the  plan  of  salvation  is  admirably 
adapted  to  the  circumstances  of  man,  and  at  the 
same  time  worthy  of  the  perfections  of  God ; 
that  while  it  displays  infinite  wisdom  and 
benevolence,  it  secures  the  rights  of  insulted 
justice,  and  glorifies  the  immaculate  holiness 
of  Deity.  Nothing,  indeed,  can  be  more  obvi- 
ous than  the  necessity  of  a  Scriptural  know- 
ledge of  the  objects  of  faith,  in  order  that  our 
faith  may  be  rational  and  steadfast :  equally 
necessary  is  it  that  we  should  be  acquainted 
with  the  motives  that  ought  to  govern,  and  the 
excellences  that  claim,  our  affections,  in  order 
that  we  may  be  "  rooted  and  grounded  in  love." 

If  you  are  anxious  faithfully  to  serve  God, 
you  are,  of  course,  anxious  to  know  the  duties 
which  constitute  that  service.  These  duties 
are  explicitly  stated  in  the  Scriptures.  If  you 
are  desirous  of  acting  toward  your  fellow-men 
in  accordance  with  your  obligations  as  a  Chris- 
tian and  as  a  rational  being,  you  must  be  equally 
desirous  of  knowing  the  extent  of  those  obliga- 
tions.    In  the  Scriptures  they  are  clearly  un- 


110        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

folded.  You  already  begin  to  feel  your  need 
of  counsel  to  direct  you  in  cases  of  difficulty, 
and  to  lead  you  in  a  safe  path  during  your 
earthly  pilgrimage.  In  the  Bible  are  the  pro- 
foundest  maxims,  and  the  wisest  admonitions , 
here  precepts  are  enforced,  and  principles  are 
inculcated,  which,  if  acted  upon  in  the  ordinary 
aflfairs  of  life,  would  preserve  us  from  innumer- 
able dangers,  anxieties,  and  troubles.  In  short, 
if  you  would  attain  dignity  of  character,  purity 
of  heart,  and  spirituality  of  mind,  you  must 
study  your  Bible :  these  sublime  attainments 
can  never  be  possessed  by  him  who  is  wilfully 
ignorant  of  the  oracles  of  God. 

As  in  every  other  private  duty,  so  in  this, 
constancy  and  regularity  are  of  supreme  import- 
ance. Never  allow  a  day  of  your  existence  to 
pass  over,  without  reading  some  portion  of  the 
word  of  God.  You  would  never  think  of 
abstaining  for  a  whole  day  from  the  food  which 
nourishes  the  body,  simply  on  the  plea,  that  you 
had  not  time  to  partake  of  it ;  yet  how  many  on 
this  plea,  and  on  this  only,  neglect  for  days  to- 
gether that  word  which  is  the  bread  of  life,  the 
nourishment  of  the  soul !  If  this  nourishment 
be  but  seldom  resorted  to,  there  will  be,  instead 
of  the  maturity  and  fruitfulness  of  fervent  piety, 
the  leanness  and  barrenness  of  mere  profession. 
Our  memories  are  so  treacherous  in  reference 
to  religious  truths,  that  in  order  to  their  es- 
tablishment in  our  hearts,  we  need  line  upon 
line,  and  precept  upon  precept.  Our  good  im- 
pressions are  so  apt  to  subside,  that  it  is  requi- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        Ill 

site  that  the  word  which  has  produced  them 
should  be  brought  frequently  before  our  minds, 
that  by  a  repetition  of  its  influence,  it  may  abide 
with  us  for  ever.  The  devices  of  Satan  are  so 
numerous,  and  so  calculated  to  perplex  and 
mislead  us,  that  we  need  a  daily  application  to 
the  word  of  God,  that  being  supplied  with  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  with  the  shield  of  faith, 
we  may  be  competent  to  resist  and  to  overcome 
the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one.  Consider  it, 
therefore,  as  imperatively  binding  upon  you  to 
read  the  Scriptures  daily. 

The  extent  of  your  daily  reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures must,  of  course,  depend  on  the  time  you 
may  be  able  to  spare  from  other  duties ;  the 
performance  of  some  of  which  is  unavoidable, 
while  others  are  essential  to  the  fulfilment  of 
your  Christian  course.  By  reading  three  chap- 
ters each  day,  you  will  peruse  the  whole  Bible 
in  the  space  of  a  year ;  and  without  attaching 
unnecessary  importance  to  such  a  practice,  I 
would,  if  it  be  within  your  power,  earnestly 
recommend  its  adoption.  Two  chapters  might 
be  read  in  the  morning  ;  one  out  of  the  histori- 
cal books  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  other 
out  of  the  New.  And  in  the  evening  another 
chapter  out  of  those  of  the  Old  Testament, 
commencing  with  the  book  of  Job,  and  termina- 
ting with  Malachi.  But  if  such  a  plan  cannot 
be  pursued  without  too  much  restricting  the 
time  for  prayer  and  self-examination,  nor  with- 
out encroaching  on  those  hours  which  your  em- 
ployers may  justly  claim  from  you,  you  must 


112  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

content  yourself  with  reading  smaller  portions 
daily.  The  quantity  read  is  not  of  so  much 
consequence,  a?  the  properly  digesting  it.  If 
you  would  profit  by  the  Scriptures,  if  you  would 
rightly  apprehend  their  meaning,  and  would 
have  your  mind  impressed  by  their  statements, 
you  must  read  deliberately,  and  not  rapidly. 
As  you  proceed,  you  must  frequently  pause. 
You  must  deeply  ponder  the  truths  and  facts 
which  are  laid  before  you ;  you  must  study 
their  connection,  their  application  to  yourself, 
and  their  relative  importance.  Unless,  while 
perusing  the  Scriptures,  you  thus  endeavour 
to  bring  them  home  to  your  own  conscience, 
and  to  make  them  the  food  of  your  own  soul, 
you  neither  make  the  use  of  them  which  God 
designs,  nor  treat  them  with  the  reverence 
which  he  claims.  You  must  solemnly  purpose 
to  perform  the  duties  which  they  enjoin, 
earnestly  seek  the  privileges  which  they 
promise,  and  as  earnestly  pray  to  be  preserved 
from  the  evils  which  they  condemn.  Such  are 
the  exercises  of  mind  which  are  indispensable 
to  a  profitable  perusal  of  the  Scriptures.  When, 
therefore,  other  necessary  and  lawful  engage- 
ments disable  you  from  reading  an  entire  chap- 
ter, read  part  of  one  ;  read  slowly  and  serious- 
ly. Give  to  some  passages  a  lengthened  at- 
tention ;  peruse  them  again  and  again :  thus 
they  will  be  engraved  upon  your  heart.  And 
although  you  may  not,  by  this  method,  read  the 
whole  Bible  in  so  short  a  space  of  time  as  you 
may  wish,  you  will  realize  what  will  be  of  in 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        113 

finitely  greater  value, — a  more  rapid  growth  in 
the  knowledge  of  divine  things ;  a  more  en- 
larged acquaintance  with  the  character  and  will 
of  God.  On  this  duty  two  points  should  be 
kept  steadily  in  view,  and  should  be  invariably 
acted  upon :  the  first  is,  that  the  Scriptures  be 
daily  read  ;  and  the  second  is,  that  they  be  read 
deliberately. 

In  the  performance  of  this  duty,  adopt  such 
methods,  and  avail  yourself  of  such  helps,  as 
will  lead  you  to  a  right  understanding  of  the 
sacred  text.  The  Bible  presents  its  apparent 
contradictions :  they  are,  however,  only  appa- 
rent, and  may  be  perfectly  reconciled.  The 
Bible  contains  difficult  passages  ;  but  the  most 
important  of  these  difficulties  can  be  satisfac- 
torily explained.  Written  in  remote  ages,  at 
different  periods,  and  in  distant  countries,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  the  Scriptures  contain  some 
"  things  hard  to  be  understood."  It  would,  in- 
deed, have  been  most  surprising,  if  this  had  not 
been  the  case.  If  all  its  allusions  and  all  its 
phraseology  had  been  familiar  to  us,  such  a 
fact  would  have  belied  its  own  pretensions  ;  it 
would  have  proved  that  it  was  not  written  by 
the  men  to  whom  it  is  attributed,  but  by  per- 
sons living  in  the  scenes  that  actually  surround 
us,  well  acquainted  with  the  existing  forms  and 
customs  of  society,  influenced  by  the  same 
habits  of  thought,  and  naturally  adopting  the 
same  modes  of  expression. 

There  is  one  peculiarity  in  the  Bible,  which 
if  it  do  not  prove  its  divine  authenticity,  is  a 
8 


114        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

Strong  recommendation  of  its  claims, — that  upon 
those  points  which  relate  to  our  duty  and  our 
salvation,  its  language  is  as  plain  as  language 
can  be.  If,  when  declaring  the  law  of  God,  or 
when  unfolding  the  scheme  of  redemption,  the 
sacred  writers  had  made  it  their  incessant,  ex- 
clusive, and  most  laborious  effort,  to  express 
themselves  in  a  style  of  perfect  simplicity,  I  do 
not  see  how  they  could  possibly  have  invented 
terms  more  clear,  more  definite-,  and  more  in- 
telligible than  the  terms  actually  adopted.  Pre- 
judice, pride,  or  carelessness  will  twist  and 
torture  the  plainest  passages,  and  mutilate  or 
destroy  the  most  self-evident  propositions.  But 
no  one  who  reads  the  Bible  with  the  reverence 
which  its  lofty  pretensions  demand,  and  which 
it  ought  to  receive  until  their  falsehood  can  be 
proved ; — no  one  who  reads  the  Bible  with  the 
attention,  candour,  and  seriousness  which  even 
common  sense  dictates,  can  possibly  fail  to  as- 
certain its  meaning  on  those  subjects  in  which 
our  everlasting  interests  are  involved. 

The  difficulties  which  the  word  of  God  con- 
tains, so  far  from  being  objectionable,  are  the 
reverse.  They  have  brought  into  existence  the 
most  vigorous  exertions  of  the  mightiest  intel- 
lects ;  they  have  prompted  to  the  acquisition  of 
immense  stores  of  learning ;  they  have  caused 
(he  sacred  text  to  pass  through  the  severest 
ordeals  of  criticism,  and  subjected  its  claims  to 
the  most  rigid  scrutiny.  And  it  may  be  unde- 
niably affirmed,  that  the  greatest  amount  of  in- 
telligence and  of  mental  energy  prevails  in 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        115 

those  communities  where  the  Bible  is  most 
generally  circulated,  and  its  contents  most  di- 
ligently studied. 

Let  me,  therefore,  exhort  you,  not  only  tO' 
read,  but  to  study,  the  sacred  volume.  It  pre- 
sents to  you  an  inexhaustible  mine  of  spiritual 
wealth,  but  which  you  must  penetrate  and  ex- 
plore, in  order  to  enrich  yourself  with  the  trea- 
sures which  it  contains.  Its  historical  facts, 
its  biographical  sketches,  its  precepts  of  duty, 
its  statements  of  doctrine,  its  predictions,  its 
promises,  its  threatenings,  its  disclosures  of  the  . 
judgment-day,  and  of  the  scenes  of  eternity,  all 
lay  before  you  topics  of  thrilling  interest,  and 
of  supreme  importance  ;  topics  which  demand 
the  most  industrious  investigation  ;  and  which, 
by  their  enlightening  and  hallowing  influence, 
amply  compensate  for  all  the  toil  and  patience 
which  you  may  devote  to  a  volume  bearing  cre- 
dentials so  extraordinary  and  so  divine. 

To  all  who  have  the  opportunity,  I  would 
most  earnestly  recommend  the  study  of  the 
Scriptures  in  their  original  languages :  through 
their' medium,  a  flood  of  light  is  poured  upon 
many  passages,  the  fulness  and  beauty  of  which 
can  be  but  imperfectly  conveyed  by  any  trans- 
lation, however  literal.  Should  your  circum- 
stances render  the  acquisition  of  Greek  and 
Hebrew  impracticable,  I  would,  if  your  pecu- 
niary means  will  admit,  urge  you  to  purchase 
Home's  "  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures." This  work  is  a  rich  storehouse  of  Bib- 
lical knowledge.   A  careful  perusal  of  its  pages, 


116        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

and  a  frequent  reference  to  them,would  furnish  in- 
valuable assistance  toward  a  rio^ht  underslandinjr 
of  the  Scriptures.  It  imbodies,  in  a  condensed 
form,  almost  all  the  information  and  directions  on 
the  subject,  needful  for  the  general  reader;  and 
is  a  book  which  no  Christian  should  be  without, 
who  can  afford  to  purchase  it.  For  the  accom- 
modation of  those  whose  means  are  limited,  Mr. 
Home  has  published  an  abridgment,  which  may 
be  had  at  a  comparatively  low  price.* 

In  purchasing  a  Bible,  be  sure  to  select  one 
which  has  the  marginal  references.  These, 
though,  I  fear,  often  disregarded,  have  an  incal- 
culable value.  If  you  can  avail  yourself  of 
no  other  assistance,  this  of  itself  will  frequently 
be  found  sufficient.  If  you  will  fairly  try  the 
experiment,  you  will  be  surprised,  as  well  as 
delighted,  with  the  discoveries  you  will  make 
of  the  meaning  of  God's  word,  by  the  adoption 
of  this  simple  and  easy  method.  For  instance, 
as  you  are  reading  a  Bible  of  the  kind  here 
recommended,  you  come  to  a  passage  which 
you  cannot  understand ;  you  read  the  verses 
which  immediately  precede  and  follow  it,  but 
the  difficulty  is  not  removed :  you  observe, 
however,  that  between  the  lines  of  this  obscure 
portion  small  letters  are  inserted ;  you  find 
these  same  letters  in  the  margin,  and  that  they 
point  you  to  chapters  and  verses,  either  in  the 
same  book  or  in  other  books  of  the  sacred 
volume  ;  you  look  out  these  chapters  and  verses^ 

*  This  abridgment  may  be  obtained  at  the  Book  Room, 
price  $1.00. 


ADMONITORV  COUNSELS.        117 

they  again  refer  you  to  others,  and,  if  neces- 
sary, you  find  them ;  but  it  will  generally  be 
the  case,  that  by  the  time  you  have  read  the 
first  references,  the  difficult  passage  will  have 
lost  its  obscurity,  and  be  so  clearly  opened  to 
you,  as  to  become  both  intelligible  and  instruc- 
tive. The  adoption  of  the  same  practice,  with 
passages  that  are  easy  to  be  understood,  will 
show  you  how  fully  one  part  of  Scripture  is 
confirmed  by  another.  By  thus  comparing 
spiritual  things  with  spiritual,  you  will  see  that 
the  Bible  is  often  the  best  interpreter  of  itself. 

You  will  not  find  it  an  unprofitable  exercise, 
if,  in  addition  to  your  daily  allotted  portion, 
you  occasionally  read  an  entire  book  at  once. 
By  adopting  this  method,  you  will  more  clearly 
perceive  the  connection  and  design  of  what  you 
read :  you  will  find  this  especially  to  be  the 
case  in  reading  the  Epistles  ;  nor  will  it  lessen, 
but  rather  heighten,  the  interest  of  the  histori- 
cal books.  And  this  is  unquestionably  the  best 
mode  of  reading  those  parts  of  the  Pentateuch 
which  prescribe  the  erection  of  the  tabernacle, 
and  the  ceremonial  observances  of  the  Jewish 
religion. 

Let  your  perusal  of  the  Scriptures  be  con- 
tinually prompted  and  governed  by  an  ardent 
love  of  truth ;  by  a  supreme  desire  to  know, 
and  to  do,  the  will  of  God.  Purity  of  motive 
is  in  all  things  essential ;  but  particularly  so  in 
studying  the  Bible.  If  every  Biblical  student 
had  possessed  this  qualification,  the  world 
would  never  have  been  cursed  with  those  cor- 


118        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

rupted  forms  of  Christianity  by  which  uiulti- 
tudes  are  infatuated  and  enslaved.  Do  not 
allow  your  mind  to  be  absorbed  in  the  investi- 
gation of  curious  and  unprofitable  questions ; 
but  let  your  aim  be  to  acquire  a  saving  know- 
ledge of  the  gospel.  Let  it  be  your  purpose  to 
"  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it  ;"  not  as 
a  subject  of  mere  speculation,  nor  as  furnishing 
matter  for  successful  controversy ;  but  as  un- 
folding the  foundation  of  hope,  and  the  medium 
of  access  to  God  ;  as  directing  you  in  the  path 
of  duty,  and  as  leading  you  to  happiness  and 
heaven.  While  reading  the  Scriptures,  there- 
fore, consider  the  infinite  importance  of  rightly 
apprehending  the  doctrines  which  they  reveal ; 
and  be  determined,  that  neither  prejudice,  nor 
pride,  nor  indifference,  nor  unbelief,  shall  stand 
in  the  way  of  a  cordial  and  thankful  reception 
of  "the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus." 

As  a  moral  and  responsible  agent,  it  is  not 
only  your  privilege,  but  your  duty,  to  exercise 
your  own  judgment  in  your  study  of  the  sacred 
oracles.  Whatever  they  may  clearly  announce, 
you  are  bound  to  believe :  in  this  respect,  the 
best  exercise  of  human  judgment  is  implicit 
submission  to  the  authority  of  God.  But  your 
convictions  must  be  formed  independently  of 
human  authority.  You  must  think  for  yourself. 
You  are  not  to  adopt  an  opinion  simply  because 
it  has  been  advocated  by  a  particular  individual 
or  party ;  you  are  to  adopt  it  because  God  has 
revealed  it. 

While  exercising  the  unquestionable  right  of 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         119 

private  judgment,  guard  against  the  opposite  ex- 
treme, of  treating  the  decisions  of  others  with 
contempt.  Deference  is  undoubtedly  due  to 
those  who  to  extensive  learning  and  fervent 
piety  have  united  patient  labour  and  strict  im- 
partiality in  studying  and  explaining  the  word 
of  God.  And  when  we  are  constrained  to  dif- 
fer from  those  whose  capabilities  and  advanta- 
ges were  vastly  superior  to  ours,  and  while  we 
maintain  our  own  views  conscientiously  and 
firmly,  it  behooves  us  to  express  them,  at  least, 
with  modesty ;  and  while  we  feel  certain  that 
the  wisest  and  holiest  of  men  may  err,  it  be- 
hooves us  not  to  forget,  that  we  also  are  fallible 
The  weakness  and  fallibility  of  our  own 
judgments,  even  in  their  most  vigorous  and 
deliberate  efforts,  evince  the  necessity  of  earn- 
est prayer  for  divine  illumination.  The  human 
heart  has  naturally  a  strong  repugnance  to 
divine  truth ;  for  "  the  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
against  God,  and  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of 
God,  neither  indeed  can  be."  Nothing  but  the 
agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  can  conquer  this  op- 
position to  the  humbling  doctrines  of  the  gos- 
pel. And  how  many  are  there  of  those  who  in 
the  course  of  professional  duty  frequently  read 
the  Scriptures,  to  whom  the  Bible  is  a  sealed 
book,^  a  dead  letter  !  How  many  are  the  facts 
which  verify  the  apostle's  statement,  that  "  the 
natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the 
Spirit  of  God ;  neither  can  he  know  them,  be- 
cause they  are  spiritually  discerned ;  they  are 
foolishness  unto  him  !"    While  you  are  reading 


120        ADMONITORV  COUNSELS. 

the  sacred  page,  beseech  God  to  open  the  eyes 
of  your  understanding,  that  you  may  "  behold 
wondrous  things  out  of  his  law."  Our  Lord 
promised  that  the  Comforter,  whom  he  would 
send,  should  "  guide  his  people  into  all  truth," 
and  that  he  should  "  take  of  the  things  of  Christ 
and  show  them  unto  us."  Recognise  the  Holy 
Spirit  as  your  instructer.  Rely  on  his  gracious 
influence.  Illuminated  by  him,  you  shall  have 
freedom  of  thought,  without  self-sufBciency ; 
humility  of  heart,  without  intellectual  enslave- 
ment ;  and  enlargement  of  mind,  without  the 
visions  and  freaks  of  an  undisciplined  imagina- 
tion. This  divine  Agent  will  remove  darkness, 
and  destroy  unbelief;  he  will  apply  the  truth 
to  your  conscience,  give  you  a  perception  of 
its  beauty,  and  a  full  experience  of  its  power. 
Implore,  then,  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that 
by  his  gracious  energy  your  mind  may  be  in- 
vigorated and  directed  in  its  efforts  to  obtain  a 
saving  acquaintance  with  the  word  of  God. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ON  THE  SOCIAL  MEANS  OF  GRACE, PUBLIC  WOR-' 

SHIP  AND  THE  LORd's  SUPPER.  /ji f'i 

It  might  seem  unnecessary  to  urge  a  regular 
attendance  on  the  public  worship  of  God. 
The  desires,  wants,  and  difficulties,  common  to 
every  Christian,  might  be  supposed  to  furnish 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        121 

reasons  and  impulses  sufficiently  powerful  to 
ensure  an  eager  and  constant  observance  of 
tliis  duty.  There  is,  however,  too  much  rea- 
son to  fear  that  some  professing  Christians  are, 
in  this  matter,  governed  more  by  considera- 
tions of  convenience,  than  by  those  of  duty. 
Obstacles  are  frequently  yielded  to,  which 
might  be  prevented  by  a  little  foresight,  or 
which  might  be  surmounted  by  a  moderate 
share  of  self-denial  and  decision.  Undoubt- 
edly there  are  some,  and  in  every  large  society, 
I  might  say,  many,  whose  circumstances  and 
obligations  render  their  regular  attendance  on 
public  worship  absolutely  impossible.  Those 
who  are  thus  situated  will,  if  they  feel  rightly, 
regard  their  unavoidable  absence  from  the 
house  of  God  as  the  loss  of  a  privilege,  as  a 
painful  sacrifice  ;  no  other  engagements  will, 
for  the  time  being,  be  viewed  as  objects  of 
preference,  but  as  occasions  of  submission,  as 
calling  for  the  exercise  of  patient  acquiescence 
in  what  is  felt  to  be  a  real  and  unwelcome  pri- 
vation. 

Those  who  have  the  sabbath  entirely  at  their 
own  disposal,  experience  but  few,  if  any,  of 
these  difficulties,  except  when  visited  by  per- 
sonal or  domestic  affliction.  Their  course  is 
consequently  plain  :  they  can  neither  be  too 
thankful  for  their  advantages,  nor  too  diligent 
in  the  improvement  of  them.  Should  they  allow 
either  caprice,  or  self-indulgence,  or  indiffer- 
ence, or  the  unfavourable  state  of  the  weather, 
to  prevent  them  from  hearing  the  gospel  in  their 


122  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

own  chapel,  when  the  opportunity  is  presented, 
their  absence  can  be  regarded  as  nothing  less 
than  an  act  of  wilful  and  criminal  neglect :  a 
neglect  which  indicates  a  lamentably  low  state 
of  religious  feeling,  as  well  as  a  feeble  sense 
of  religious  obligation. 

Let  me  exhort  you  to  repel  those  false 
reasonings  and  excuses  which  would  induce 
you  to  undervalue  the  advantages  of  social 
worship,  or  which  would  weaken  the  force  of 
its  claims  upon  you.  Let  nothing  but  insur- 
mountable obstacles,  or  the  imperative  dictates 
of  some  other  duty,  prevent  your  attendance  at 
the  sanctuary  when  the  hour  of  worship  arrives. 
If  you  are  necessarily  placed  in  a  situation  in 
which  your  religious  privileges  are  restricted, 
you  must  meekly  bear  the  restriction,  trusting 
in  God  for  its  removal,  and,  in  the  mean  time, 
eagerly  avail  yourself  of  every  means  of  spi- 
ritual improvement  that  may  be  within  your 
reach.  Are  you  bound  by  the  ties  of  a  young 
but  numerous  family,  and  without  the  assistance 
which  would  enable  you  to  resort  more  fre- 
quently to  the  house  of  God  ?  You  must  en- 
deavour to  devise  plans  and  to  make  arrange- 
ments by  which  you  may  enjoy  this  great  prr- 
vilege  as  often  as  practicable.  Where  both  the 
heads  of  a  family  are  members  of  the  society, 
these  arrangements  may  easily  be  carried  into 
effect.  Where  it  is  necessary  that  one  of  the 
parents  should  always  remain  at  home,  this  ne- 
cessity may  be  supplied  by  each  alternately ; 
and  thus  each  will  secure  equal  opportunities 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         123 

of  hearing  the  word  of  life.  I  have  known 
men,  professing  godliness,  who  have  regularly 
attended  the  chapel,  but  whose  wives  were 
never  to  be  seen  there,  the  cause  of  whose  ab- 
sence has  been  the  husband's  unwillingness  to 
take  any  share  of  domestic  duty.  Such  men 
must  surely  believe  that  women  have  no  souls  . 
whatever  their  belief  may  be,  their  conduct,  to 
say  the  least  of  it,  is  unkind  and  inconsistent, 
and  involves  a  responsibility  which  they  would 
do  well  to  remember. 

Should  you  engage  in  the  duties  of  sabbath- 
school  teacher,  you  will,  to  some  extent,  lessen 
your  opportunities  of  attending  public  worship. 
But  though  this  is  a  sacrifice  to  which  you  will 
consent  for  the  sake  of  benefiting  others,  yet  it 
is  one  which  must,  in  justice  to  yourself,  have 
its  limits ;  it  must  not  be  allowed  to  interfere 
too  much  with  the  attention  due  to  the  ordi- 
nances of  God's  house. 

What  I  am  anxious  to  impress  upon  you  is 
this,  that  you  are,  as  a  professing  Christian, 
bound  by  the  most  weighty  considerations  to 
unite  as  frequently  as  possible  in  the  public 
worship  of  God  ;  and  that  your  occasional  non- 
observance  of  it  should  result  either  from  ihe 
pressure  of  circumstances  over  which  you  have 
no  control,  or  from  the  performance  of  some 
other  duty  the  claims  of  which  are  indispen- 
sable. 

If  you  are  actuated  by  right  motives  in  this 
matter,  you  will  not  needlessly  absent  yourself 
from  the  sabbath  forenoon  service  ;  on  the  con- 


124        AOMONITORy  COUNSELS. 

trary,  you  will  appreciate  it  as  the  most  favour- 
able time  for  listening  with  undistracted  atten- 
tion to  the  truths  of  salvation.  Neither  will 
you  needlessly  manifest  any  partiality  or  pre- 
ference in  the  selection  of  your  minister ;  you 
will  not  generally  absent  yourself  when  Mr. 

is  appointed,  but  be  present  when  his 

colleague  is  expected ;  neither  will  you  follow 
your  favourite  from  chapel  to  chapel,  in  the 
contiguous  parts  of  the  circuit.  Such  conduct 
is  unbecoming,  and  may  subject  you  to  unplea- 
sant observations  and  injurious  suspicions :  it 
is  censurable  ;  for  it  is  leaning  upon  an  arm  of 
flesh ;  it  is  looking  to  man,  and  not  to  God,  as 
the  source  of  spiritual  improvement ;  and  is 
also  treating  with  injustice  those  of  your  minis- 
ters who  may  feel  as  anxious  to  promote  your 
salvation  as  the  one  whom  you  so  ardently 
admire. 

Never  absent  yourself  from  your  accustomed 

Elace  of  worship  merely  because  a  collection 
as  been  announced.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
when  these  occasions  arrive,  so  many  should 
find  it  inconvenient  to  attend.  A  highly  re- 
spectable minister  once  observed  to  me,  "  I  am 

always  popular  at  N street,  when  there 

happens  to  be  a  collection  a  C street ;  for 

many  of  our  people  on  that  side  will  then 
leave  their  own  chapel,  and  flock  to  hear  me." 
Now,  to  leave  a  place  of  worship,  merely  for 
the  sake  of  escaping  the  collection,  is  highly 
reprehensible.  If  all  were  to  act  thus,  the  in- 
terests of  Methodism  would  be  fatally  injured  ; 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  125 

for  it  is  one  of  the  glories  of  Methodism,  that  it 
subsists  without  coercion,  and  that,  humanly- 
speaking,  it  is  dependant  on  the  free-will  offer- 
ings of  its  members  and  supporters.  The 
practice  here  referred  to,  is,  in  many  cases, 
shamefully  mean  and  dishonourable  ;  and  in  all 
cases  unnecessary.  Where  poverty  may  be 
pleaded  as  the  excuse,  it  should  be  remembered 
that,  if  no  more  can  be  afforded,  the  smallest 
coin  of  the  realm,  given  with  a  cheerful  heart, 
will  not  be  rejected  nor  unblessed  by  the  great 
Head  of  the  church  ;  and  if  even  this  cannot  be 
spared,  it  will  be  more  consistent  in  itself  to 
allow  the  plate  to  pass  you,  than,  from  pride  or 
false  shame,  to  absent  yourself  from  the  place 
to  which  you  are  accustomed  to  resort. 

Avoid  late  attendance.  This  is  a  serious  evil, 
the  existence  of  which  is  deeply  to  be  deplored. 
It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  there  are  some 
congregations  comparatively  exempt  from  it ; 
but  there  are  others  where  its  prevalence  is 
awfully  striking.  Difficulties  will,  doubtless, 
occasionally  occur,  which  may  frustrate  the  best 
intentions ;  but  it  is  impossible  to  believe  that 
these  difficulties  can  be  experienced  every  sab- 
bath, by  all  the  individuals  and  families  who 
are  faulty  in  this  particular.  The  more  general 
cause,  it  is  to  be  feared,  is  indolence,  or  want 
of  arrangement,  or  forgetfulness  of  the  progress 
of  time.  Were  this  evil  viewed  in  its  true  as- 
pect and  character,  it  would  neither  be  tolerated 
nor  practised  to  its  present  extent ;  and  were 
individual  determination  and  effort  strenuously 


126        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

directed  against  it,  it  would  soon  disappear. 
Let  me  prevail  upon  you,  my  dear  reader, 
solemnly  to  resolve  that  you  will  employ  your 
personal  exertions  and  influence  in  both  avoid- 
ing and  preventing  a  practice  so  strongly  to  be 
deprecated.  Some  consideration  is  due  to  the 
feelings  of  your  minister :  how  satisfactory  and 
cheering  must  it  be  to  him  to  find,  on  entering 
the  pulpit,  a  congregation  ready  to  unite  with 
him  in  the  first  exercises  of  the  sanctuary !  on 
the  contrary,  how  painful  and  discouraging  to 
witness  a  large  number  of  vacant  sittings,  the 
greater  part  of  which  become  occupied  imme- 
diately after  the  first  prayer !  Think  you  that 
in  all  this  there  is  nothing  calculated  to  depress 
the  spirits,  and  to  disturb  that  holy  calmness 
which  is  so  necessary  to  the  efficient  discharge 
of  pulpit  duties  ?  Late  attendance  is  also  in- 
consistent with  a  proper  regard  to  the  feelings 
of  the  congregation.  You  cannot  enter  the 
chapel  after  the  commencement  of  a  service 
without  occasioning  some  interruption  to  others 
in  the  performance  of  their  duties.  A  pious 
elderly  female  was  once  questioned  as  to  the 
cause  of  her  invariably  early  attendance  at  pub- 
lic worship :  her  reply  was,  that  "  she  made  it 
one  part  of  her  religion  not  to  disturb  the  re- 
ligion of  others."  This  is  a  reply  worthy  of 
remembrance,  and  which  develops  a  principle 
worthy  of  universal  adoption.  But  those  con- 
siderations which  ought  to  have  the  greatest 
weight,  are  such  as  arise  from  the  attention 
which  is  due  to  your  own  spiritual  interests 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        127 

and  from  the  reverence  which  you  owe  to  God. 
By  late  attendance  you  not  only  deprive  your- 
self of  the  benefit  which  you  might  obtain  by 
joining  in  the  first  part  of  the  service,  but  the 
hurried  movements  and  the  agitated  feelings 
thus  produced,  disqualify  you  for  profitably  en- 
gaging in  divine  worship.  And  is  it  respectful 
toward  God  to  manifest  this  irregularity  1  If 
your  earthly  sovereign  were  to  invite  you  to  an 
interview  to  be  held  at  a  specified  time,  you 
would  take  care  to  be  punctual  to  the  appoint- 
ment :  your  determination  to  comply  strictly 
with  the  invitation  would  be  strengthened  by 
the  assurance  that  the  interview  would  result 
in  your  decided  advantage.  The  Sovereign  of 
the  universe  invites  you  to  meet  him  in  his 
sanctuary,  that  he  may  there  give  you  a  renew- 
ed token  of  his  favour,  and  another  foretaste 
of  the  glory  he  is  preparing  for  you :  you  will 
surely  then  abstain  from  whatever  might  indi- 
cate the  slightest  indifference  to  benefits  so 
precious ;  you  will  scrupulously  avoid  what- 
ever might  be  construed  into  disrespect  to- 
ward your  heavenly  benefactor  ;  you  will  anxi- 
ously guard  against  the  faintest  appearance  of 
irreverence  toward  him  ;  and  by  faithfully  keep- 
ing your  engagement  with  him,  you  will  endeav- 
our to  show  how  highly  you  appreciate,  and 
how  eagerly  you  embrace,  the  opportunities  of 
holding  communion  with  him  who  is  King  of 
kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 

Let  your  attendance  on  public   worship  be 
prompted  by  an  ardent  desire  to  obtain  that 


128        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

spiritual  good  which  it  is  intended  to  be  the 
means  of  imparting.  In  waiting  upon  God  in 
this  divinely  appointed  ordinance,  constantly 
keep  the  end  in  view ;  namely,  your  advance- 
ment in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  Christ,  your 
establishment  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  your  acquirement  of  larger  measures 
of  that  grace,  in  the  fruits  of  which  you  are  to 
abound  more  and  more.  For  the  accomplish- 
ment of  these  ends,  the  exercises  of  public 
worship  are  admirably  adapted.  In  these  ex- 
ercises how  often  is  the  heart  that  was  becom- 
ing lukewarm  and  worldly,  penetrated  with  a 
sense  of  its  ingratitude,  and  filled  with  love,  and 
purity,  and  peace  !  how  often  does  the  believer, 
when  harassed  by  temptation,  or  discouraged 
by  a  sense  of  his  unworthiness,  here  regain  that 
confidence  and  power  which  enable  him  to  go 
on  his  way  rejoicing !  How  calculated  are  the 
solemnities  of  the  sanctuary  to  soothe  and  calm 
the  mind  when  agitated  by  anxiety,  or  when 
disturbed  by  earthly  cares !  Here  we  are  as- 
sociated with  those  who  have  similar  trials  to 
encounter,  but  who  are  pressing  onward  with 
us  to  the  same  glorious  immortality.  The  simi- 
larity of  circumstances  and  of  purpose  causes  a 
sympathy  of  feeling,  and  forms  the  bond  of  af- 
fectionate union.  For  those  whose  interests 
and  whose  principles  are  thus  identified  to  join 
in  the  duties  of  prayer  and  praise  cannot  but 
be  sweet,  refreshing,  and  profitable.  To  listen 
to  the  announcements  of  divine  truth,  from  one 
of  like  passions  with  ourselves,  is  an  arrange- 


ADMONirORV  COUNSELS.         129 

ment  suited  to  the  wants  and  weaknesses  of  our 
nature ;  the  voice  of  affection  and  of  earnest- 
ness giving  utterance  to  the  promises  and  pre- 
cepts of  the  gospel,  is  calculated  to  reach  the 
heart,  to  touch  its  tenderest  feelings,  and  to 
awaken  the  most  powerful  emotions.  An  as- 
sembly of  rational  beings  convened  for  such  ob- 
jects, and  engaged  in  such  exercises,  is  a  scene 
which  Jehovah  contemplates  with  pleasure, 
which  he  visits  with  his  cheering  presence,  and 
favours  with  his  choicest  influence. 

That  you  may  secure  the  advantages  which 
may  be  derived  from  social  worship,  your  mind 
should  be  suitably  prepared  for  the  duty.  To 
enter  upon  it  with  the  thoughts  either  wander- 
ing at  random,  or  dwelling  intently  on  schemes 
of  worldly  policy,  will  effectually  close  the 
heart  against  those  impressions  which  ought  to 
be  received  and  cherished.  Let  prayer  be 
previously  presented,  that  God  would  enable 
you  to  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  that 
he  would  give  you  to  see  his  power  and  his 
glory  in  the  sanctuary,  and  that  he  would  cause 
his  word  to  accomplish  in  you  the  purposes  of 
his  holiness  and  love.  Fix  your  thoughts,  as 
much  as  possible,  on  those  topics,  the  consider- 
ation of  which  will  promote  seriousness  of  feel- 
ing, and  enkindle  the  flame  of  devotion^  As 
you  proceed  to  the  house  of  God,  you  may  ap- 
propriately and  profitably  meditate  on  the  worth 
of  your  soul,  on  the  love  and  sufferings  of 
Christ,  on  the  perfections  of  God,  and  on  the 
joys  of  heaven.  Mingle  such  meditations  with 
9 


130       ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

intense  longings  after  spiritual  blessings,  and 
your  mind,  filled  with  hallowed  sentiments, 
will  sweetly  relish  the  exercises  of  social  wor- 
ship ;  you  will  receive  with  meekness  the  in- 
grafted word,  and  realize  its  power  to  sanctify 
and  save.  While  professedly  observing  the 
duties  of  public  worship,  let  them  secure  an  un- 
broken and  devout  attention.  This  is  essential 
to  its  beneficial  influence.  Unless  your  mind 
be  engaged,  the  attainment  of  spiritual  good  is 
impossible.  Your  minister  would  as  success- 
fully address  a  vacant  sitting  as  an  inattentive 
occupant.  Probably  it  is  in  a  great  measure 
owing  to  the  want  oi  fixed  attention  that  num- 
bers who  professedly  hear  the  gospel  are  so 
imperfectly  acquainted  with  its  doctrines,  and 
so  feebly  impressed  with  its  obligations.  By 
allowing  your  attention  even  only  occasionally 
to  be  drawn  off",  you  may  lose  the  sentiment 
which  would  have  been  most  peculiarly  appli- 
cable to  your  state  of  feeling,  and  which  would 
have  produced  the  most  powerful  effect  upon 
your  mind. 

To  prevent  your  thoughts  from  wandering  in 
public  worship,  you  must  make  a  determined 
effort  to  confine  them  to  the  duties  that  lie  be- 
fore you ;  nor  will  success  be  difficult,  if  you 
are  alive  to  the  importance  of  these  duties,  and 
feel  a  deep  interest  in  them.  Whatever  deeply 
interests  us,  easily  secures  our  attention :  and 
if  you  habitually  maintain  a  spiritual  frame  of 
mind ;  if  your  heart  be  powerfully  and  con- 
stantly impressed  with  divine  truth,  you  will 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        131 

have  but  little  difficulty  in  attentively  listening 
to  it  when  announced  to  you  by  the  ministers 
of  Christ. 

In  the  most  devotional  state  of  mind  watch- 
fulness will  be  necessary ;  for  without  it  Satan 
will  inject  foolish  thoughts,  and  by  causing  dis- 
traction, render  the  services  of  the  sanctuary 
useless.  When  you  experience  these  fanciful 
suggestions,  endeavour  immediately  to  recollect 
yourself ;  consider  where  you  are,  and  in  what 
you  are  engaged  ;  be  determined  to  avoid  the 
guilt  of  formality  and  hypocrisy  in  approaching 
to  God  ;  and  lift  up  your  heart  to  him  for  grace 
to  enable  you  to  resist  every  temptation,  either 
to  forget  his  presence,  or  to  disregard  his 
word. 

Unless  you  are  destitute  of  a  voice,  or  are 
utterly  incompetent  to  keep  time,  join  cordially 
in  singing  the  praises  of  Jehovah.  To  remain 
mute  when  you  have  the  ability  of  uniting  in 
this  delightful  and  exhilarating  exercise,  is 
neither  seemly  nor  profitable.  When  this  mute 
practice  prevails  in  a  congregation,  it  indicates 
a  want  of  devotional  feeling :  moreover,  the 
sentiments  contained  in  the  Methodist  Hymn- 
book  are  so  truly  evangelical,  that  when  sung 
with  the  spirit  and  with  the  understanding  they 
cannot  fail  to  enliven  and  elevate  the  soul. 

Closely  accompany  the  minister  in  the  sup- 
plications that  he  may  address  to  the  divine 
Majesty.  Give  your  heart's  assent  when  he 
expresses  the  language  of  thankfulness  ;  and 
acquiesce  with  equal  sincerity  when  he  utters 


132        ADMONirORV  COUNSELS. 

the  language  of  confession.  Mark  each  distinct 
petition ;  make  it  your  own,  and  testify  your 
adoption  of  it  by  a  fervent  and  audible,  but  not 
vociferous.  Amen.  This  primitive  mode  of  re- 
sponding to  public  prayer,  when  practised  with- 
in the  limits  of  decency  and  order,  excites  a 
powerful  but  holy  sympathy  in  the  congrega- 
tion, and  has  a  most  encouraging  effect  on  the 
mind  of  the  minister. 

Cultivate  a  spirit  of  candour,  and  indeed  of 
esteem  and  affection,  toward  your  spiritual  in- 
structer.  When  the  preacher  evinces  superior 
talents,  and  has  the  advantage  of  an  attractive 
and  impressive  delivery,  it  is  natural  that  your 
feelings  should  be  gratified,  and  that  there 
should  be  no  backwardness  in  expressing  the 
pleasure  and  profit  you  have  received ;  but 
when  a  discourse  displays  neither  profundity 
of  thought,  nor  brilliancy  of  imagination,  nor 
eloquence  of  diction,  and  when  the  delivery  of 
it  is  monotonous  or  otherwise  unpleasant,  the 
exercise  of  candour  and  even  of  attention  re- 
quires an  effort,  and  perhaps  a  painful  effort. 
In  such  cases,  look  not  to  the  manner,  but  to 
the  matter :  if  it  be  not  profound,  it  may  be  im- 
portant ;  if  it  be  not  brilliant,  it  may  be  clear ; 
if  it  be  not  eloquent,  it  may  be  useful.  What- 
ever defects  there  may  be,  either  in  the  com- 
position or  in  the  delivery,  if  the  preacher  faith- 
fully declare  the  simple  truths  of  the  gospel ; 
if  he  manifest  sincerity  ;  if  his  evident  aim  be 
to  do  good,  and  not  to  act  a  part,  he  is  entitled 
to  yonr  respectful  and  prayerful  attention  ;  and 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.       *  133 

if  you  thus  give  him  your  attention,  he  will  be 
to  you  the  instrument  of  good,  the  messenger  of 
peace  and  consolation. 

Hear  the  word  in  the  spirit  of  prayer.  Pray 
for  the  minister,  that  he  may  be  divinely  en- 
lightened and  strengthened,  and  that  he  maybe 
the  channel  of  communicating  some  saving 
benefit  to  every  individual  in  the  congregation. 
Pray  that  his  ministrations  may  be  eminently 
blessed  to  your  own  soul ;  and  as  he  proceeds, 
occasionally  make  the  truths  uttered  the  subjects 
of  short  but  fervent  ejaculations. 

Hear  the  word  with  self-application :  make 
it  the  ground-work  of  a  thorough  self-examina- 
tion. This  is  an  indispensable  duty.  When 
a  discourse  is  no  sooner  concluded  than  it  is 
dismissed  from  the  mind,  it  cannot  possibly  be 
productive  of  any  beneficial  effect.  Nor  should 
its  profitable  influence  be  made  to  depend  either 
on  its  superior  eloquence,  or  on  its  immediate 
impressiveness.  That  which  may  have  been 
heard  without  any  remarkable  excitement,  may, 
by  after-meditation,  be  rendered  the  means  of 
great  spiritual  benefit.  .  The  leading  topics  of 
each  discourse  should  be  brought  to  recollec- 
tion, and  should  be  searchingly  applied  to  the 
conscience.  And  if  the  fidelity  of  the  preacher, 
seconded  by  the  agency  of  the  Spirit,  has  either 
discovered  your  deficiencies,  or  convicted  you 
of  unfaithfulness,  the  language  of  penitential 
confession  should  be  addressed  to  the  Searcher 
of  hearts,  determinations  formed  of  more  entire 
devotedness  to  his  service,  and  an  appiicatirtn 


134  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

made  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling.  When  a  dis- 
course has  been  particularly  blessed  to  you, 
when  its  effect  has  been  to  encourage  your 
obedience,  to  brighten  your  hope,  and  to  in- 
crease your  joy,  the  event  should  be  followed 
by  devout  thanksgiving  to  God,  accompanied 
by  special  prayer,  that  he  would  give  per- 
manency to  the  impressions  which  have  been 
produced. 

Never  lose  sight  of  the  all-important  fact,  that 
the  agency  of  the  Spirit  is  absolutely  essential 
to  render  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  saving- 
ly profitable.  While  you  venerate  the  preacher 
as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  you  must  expect 
spiritual  good  not  from  him,  but  through  him. 
View  the  preacher  as  an  instrument  in  the 
hands  of  God  ;  view  God  as  the  efficient  cause, 
and  the  bountiful  giver  of  those  blessings  which 
his  word  reveals.  He,  by  his  Spirit,  applies 
his  truth  to  the  conscience ;  and  by  giving  it 
energy  and  effect,  renders  it  the  means  of  con- 
veying light,  and  purity,  and  peace.  Ever  re- 
member, therefore,  that  it  is  to  the  Holy  Spirit 
that  you  must  look,  and  upon  his  influence  that 
you  must  depend,  for  the  advantages  you  expect 
to  derive  from  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
gospel. 

Let  your  deportment  in  public  worship  be 
such  as  becomes  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion. 
While  you  will  carefully  avoid  whatever  is 
formal  and  affected,  you  will  be  equally  careful 
to  avoid  whatever  has  the  appearance  either  of 
levity  or  of  inattention.     Shun  the  irreverent, 


ADMONITORY  COUNSKLS.        135 

idle,  and  self-indulgent  practice  of  sitting  during 
prayer,  unless  you  are  in  that  state  of  bodily 
debility  which  requires  it.  Do  not  needlessly 
leave  the  chapel  before  the  service  is  con- 
cluded ;  and  even  then  do  not  rush  out  with 
unseemly  haste.  When  mingling  with  your 
friends  in  the  chapel-yard,  or  when  walking 
with  them  on  your  return  home,  abstain  from 
frivolous  and  worldly  converse  ;  to  indulge  in 
which,  I  need  scarcely  say,  must  neutralize  the 
beneficial  influence  of  the  service.  On  such 
occasions,  let  the  usual  friendly  greetings  and 
inquiries  be  interchanged  in  the  spirit  of  Chris- 
tian affection  ;  and  let  every  subsequent  remark 
be  such  as  will  tend  to  deepen  the  impressions 
received,  and  to  strengthen  the  good  resolutions 
which  have  been  formed.  Let  the  first  mo- 
ments of  solitude  be  spent  in  prayer ;  and  em- 
brace the  first  opportunity  of  retiring  to  your 
closet,  that  you  may  there  "  inwardly  digest" 
that  word  of  life,  which,  if  you  receive  it  in 
faith,  will  be  to  you  the  word  of  salvation.* 

There  is  one  social  ordinance  which,  from 
the  circumstances  connected  with  its  institution, 
and  the  obligations  with  which  it  is  enforced, 
has  pre-eminent  claims,  upon  your  attention.  I 
refer  to  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
To  the  enlightened  and  spiritually-minded 
Christian,  there  is  no  religious  duty  so  truly 
welcome  as  this  ;  nor  one  so  deeply  interesting 

*  The  excellent  tract  "  On  Hearing  the  Word,"  by  the 
late  Rev.  Robert  Hall,  and  published  by  the  ReligiuuA. 
Tract  Society,  is  well  worthy  of  a  frequent  perusal. 


136  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

and  impressive.  Superstition  has  surrounded 
it  with  a  mysteriousness  which  it  was  never 
intended  to  possess ;  veiled  in  obscurity  that 
which  was  designed  to  be  a  specimen  of  perfect 
simplicity  ;  and  given  a  stern  and  forbidding  as- 
pect to  an  institution  which  its  Founder  invest- 
ed with  all  that  is  lovely,  cheering,  and  attrac- 
tive. There  are  many  who,  although  they  are 
not  the  dupes  of  superstition,  are  not  altogether 
free  from  at  least  a  remnant  of  its  prejudice, 
and  who  therefore  shrink  with  terror  from  the 
performance  of  a  duty  which  they  ought  to  ob- 
serve with  eagerness  and  joy. 

The  dread  of  "  eating  and  drinking  unworth- 
ily" and  of  thereby  "  eating  and  drinking  dam- 
nation to  themselves,"  is  one  cause  why  many, 
whose  piety  we  have  no  right  to  question,  ab- 
sent themselves  from  this  delightful  ordinance. 
If  you  are  influenced  by  fears  of  this  nature,  I 
must  refer  you  to  the  chapter  (the  eleventh  of  the 
1st  of  Corinthians)  from  which  the  preceding 
phraseology  is  quoted.  An  attentive  perusal  of 
it  will  convince  you  that  the  apostle  is  reprov- 
ing the  Corinthians  for  crimes  of  which  you  are 
not  likely  to  be  guilty.  It  is  evident  they  either 
partook  of  the  Lord's  supper  as  they  would  of 
an  ordinary  meal,  and  thus  shamefully  perverted 
it  from  its  original  design ;  or  that  previously 
to  its  observance  they  ate  and  drank  to  such 
excess  as  to  render  them  awfully  unfit  for  any 
religious  service.  In  either  case  they  failed 
"  to  discern  the  Lord's  body :"  they  entirely 


^-» 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  137 

lost  sight  of  the  great  objects  on  which  their 
minds  ought  to  have  been  fixed ;  and  neither 
thought  on  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  nor  on  the 
benefits  which  those  suflferings  procured.  More- 
over, although  the  crime  of  the  Corinthians  was 
awfully  great,  it  did  not  irrevocably  seal  their 
"  damnation."  The  word  which  is  thus  ren- 
dered, would  be  more  correctly  translated  "judg- 
ment," as  it  is  in  the  margin.  The  nature  of 
this  judgment  is  also  stated  in  the  succeeding 
verse,  in  which  the  apostle  observes,  "  For  this 
cause  many  are  weak  and  sickly  among  you, 
and  a  considerable  number  are  dead."  For  the 
scandalous  excesses  of  which  they  were  guilty, 
God  visited  some  of  them  with  bodily  affliction, 
and  others  with  death,  as  an  evidence  of  his 
displeasure,  and  as  a  means  of  awakening  the 
church  to  repentance  and  reformation. 

That  persons  may  partake  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per "  unworthily,"  is  unquestionable  ;  that  by 
so  doing,  they  may  involve  themselves  in  guilt, 
which,  if  not  repented  of  and  pardoned,  will 
lead  to  their  eternal  ruin,  is  equally  certain. 
But  who  are  they  that  are  thus  criminal  ?  Not 
surely  the  prayerful,  sincere,  and  timid  Chris- 
tian, who  is  struggling  against  sin,  and  who 
dreads  to  offend  God.  No  one  in  this  state  of 
mind  can  "  unworthily"  partake  of  the  Lord's 
supper.  Those  chargeable  with  this  crime  are 
the  self-righteous,  the  worldly-minded,  and  the 
hypocritical ;  those  who,  while  they  profess 
godliness,  are  either  living  in  known  sin,  or 


138  ADMONITORY   COUNSELS. 

are  sunk  into  that  state  of  formality  which  in- 
dicates an  entire  destitution  of  religious  feeling 
and  principle. 

Conscious  unfitness  is  sometimes  stated  as  a 
reason  for  non-attendance  on  this  ordinance. 
This  plea  generally  arises  from  erroneous  views 
of  its  nature  and  design.  It  is  not  intended 
exclusively  for  those  who  are  far  advanced  in 
religious  experience.  It  is  intended  and  ad- 
mirably calculated  to  invigorate  the  feeble- 
minded, to  cheer  the  disconsolate,  and  to 
strengthen  the  confidence  of  those  who  are 
weak  in  faith.  It  exhibits  before  them  facts 
and  truths,  which,  when  spiritually  discerned, 
unfold  the  glories  of  the  Redeemer's  character, 
and  the  unsearchable  riches  of  his  grace.  In 
fixing  attention  on  the  love  and  sufferings  of 
Christ,  the  believer  is  led  to  the  fountain  of 
purity  and  peace,  to  the  source  of  every  spirit- 
ual blessing. 

Moreover,  it  should  be  considered,  that  those 
who  are  in  reality  unfit  to  receive  the  Lord's 
supper,  are  unfit  for  church  membership ;  the 
same  qualifications  being  necessary  in  both 
cases.  And  if  you  are  entirely  destitute  of 
those  qualifications,  you  are  not  only  unfit 
to  approach  the  Lord's  table,  but  you  are  unfit 
to  join  in  any  of  those  ordinances  which  are 
specially  designed  for  the  edification  of  God's 
people. 

The  meetness  requisite  for  the  profitable  ob- 
servance of  the  Lord's  supper  may  be  summed 
up  in  few  words  :  it  is  comprised  in  a  sincere 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        139 

and  diligent  pursuit  of  salvation.  Are  the  bless- 
ings of  salvation  the  object  of  your  intense  de- 
sires 1  Are  you  seeking  them  by  fervent  and 
incessant  prayer  ?  Are  you  convinced  that  it 
is  only  by  faith  in  the  atonement  that  you  can 
be  justified  '  Are  you  as  anxious  for  holiness 
as  you  are  for  pardon  ?  If  you  can  conscienti- 
ously answer  these  questions  in  the  affirmative, 
be  assured  of  this,  that  the  great  Head  of  the 
church  will  not  only  cordially  welcome  you  to 
his  table,  but  requires  your  presence  there  as 
frequently  as  the  opportunity  is  afforded. 

One  cause  of  inattention  to  this  duty  is  the 
want  of  a  due  sense  of  its  importance.  There 
are  many  who  have  none  of  the  scruples  to 
which  I  have  just  adverted  :  they  have  no  par- 
ticular objection  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per, providing  it  will  not  interfere  with  some 
personal  or  domestic  engagements.  The  truth 
is,  they  do  not  feel  their  obligations  in  reference 
to  the  ordinance.  It  is  deeply  to  be  regretted 
that  those  who  yield  to  this  spirit  of  indifference, 
do  not  seriously  reflect  on  that  command  of  the 
Saviour,  "  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me."  This 
injunction  is  addressed  to  all  his  followers  :  he 
requires  of  them  a  prompt,  cheerful,  and  uni- 
versal obedience.  If  circumstances  can  render 
one  precept  more  imperative  than  another,  the 
circumstances  under  which  this  precept  was 
announced  invest  it  with  the  most  solemn 
sanctions,  and  with  the  most  powerful  claims. 
Except  in  cases  of  bodily  indisposition,  or 
when  prevented  by  insurmountable  obstacles 


140        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

we  are  bound  to  its  observance  by  every  con- 
sideration of  duty  and  of  gratitude.  Could  no 
immediate  advantage  be  derived  from  it,  it 
ought  to  be  sufficient  for  us  that  the  Saviour  has 
commanded  it.  If  the  observance  of  it  be  not 
attended  with  that  visible  and  powerful  excite- 
ment which  some  may  deem  so  desirable,  it 
should  be  remembered,  that  it  may  not  on  this 
account  be  the  less  profitable.  In  the  stillness 
which  accompanies  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  supper  there  is  something  peculiarly 
solemn  and  affecting :  it  calms,  it  elevates  the 
soul,  and  separates  it  from  all  that  is  earthly. 
It  brings  before  it  the  most  momentous  events, 
subjects  it  to  the  immediate  influence  of  the 
cross,  and  enables  it  to  taste  of  the  pure  river 
of  the  water  of  life. 

Needlessly  to  disobey  the  Saviour's  express 
command,  is  to  treat  him  with  ingratitude  and 
insult.  Be  not  thus  guilty  of  pouring  contempt 
on  the  authority  of  Him  who  laid  down  his  life 
as  a  ransom  for  you.  To  neglect,  from  mere 
indiflference,  any  of  the  means  which  he  has 
appointed,  is  to  deprive  yourself  of  the  benefit 
which  the  proper  use  of  those  means  would 
secure.  Act  not  thus  injuriously  to  yourself. 
To  allow  considerations  of  convenience  to  out- 
weigh the  obligations  of  duty,  is  to  act  unfaith- 
fully toward  Him  whom  you  profess  to  serve. 
Do  not  thus  bring  yourself  into  condemnation. 

"  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me."  From 
these  words  it  is  evident,  that  the  design  of  the 
Lord's  supper  is  to  remind  us  of  the  love  and 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         141 

sufferings  of  Christ,  of  the  benefits  purchased 
by  his  death,  and  of  our  obligations  to  him  for 
his  infinite  condescension  and  mercy.  When 
attending  to  this  ordinance,  our  thoughts  should 
be  fully  directed  to  the  crucifixion  of  the  Son 
of  God,  which  should  be  regarded  not  only  as 
inflicting  the  most  acute  bodily  tortures,  but  as 
being  accompanied  with  an  overwhelming  agony 
of  mind,  caused  by  the  iniquities  of  all  being 
laid  upon  him.  Having  consented  to  bear  the 
punishment  of  our  sins,  the  manifestation  of 
his  Father's  love  was  withdrawn ;  and  he  ex- 
perienced, not  indeed  the  remorse  which  arises 
from  a  consciousness  of  guilt,  but  the  darkness 
and  sorrow,  the  degradation  and  abandonment 
which  are  the  fruits  of  sin.  This  was  the  bit- 
ter cup  which  he  drank  to  the  very  dregs  ;  this 
was  the  atonement  which  he  made  to  infinite 
justice,  for  the  crimes  of  a  rebellious  world. 
In  observing  the  Lord's  supper  these  must  be 
the  themes  of  our  meditation,  and  the  objects 
of  our  faith.  We  must  repose  deliberate  and 
unlimited  confidence  in  Christ  as  our  Saviour ; 
believing  that  he  thus  died  for  us,  and  that  in 
his  blood  we  have  redemption.  If  we  thus 
meditate  and  thus  believe,  while  we  are  receiv- 
ing the  elements,  we  shall  fulfil  the  design  of 
the  institution, — we  shall  "  discern  the  Lord's 
body." 

It  is  evident  that  the  contemplation  of  these 
facts  will  tend  powerfully  to  impress  our  minds 
with  a  sense  of  our  obligations  to  Christ.  Our 
lost  and  wretched  condition  as  sinners  will  bo 


142        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

brought  vividly  before  us.  We  shall  discover 
that  by  the  death  of  Christ  we  are  rescued 
from  the  gloom  of  despair  and  the  depths  of  hell, 
and  that  we  are  raised  to  the  joys  of  salvation 
and  the  glories  of  heaven.  The  emotions  of 
love  and  gratitude  which  such  considerations 
will  excite,  should  be  cherished,  and  be  allow- 
ed to  fill  and  to  overflow  the  soul.  Under  their 
influence,  resolutions  should  be  formed  of  more 
entire  devotedness  to  the  Redeemer.  No  occa- 
sion can  be  more  appropriate,  for  the  renewed 
dedication  of  ail  your  powers  to  his  service. 
Bring  to  recollection  your  past  sins  and  your  past 
unfaithfulness  ;  confess  them  ;  deplore  them  ; 
and,  with  the  cross  in  view,  consecrate  your- 
self afresh  unto  the  Lord ;  yield  your  heart  to 
him  without  reserve  ;  determine  that  you  will 
be  more  watchful,  more  prayerful,  and  more 
holy ;  that  you  will  be  more  strenuous  in  re- 
sisting evil,  and  more  zealous  in  labouring  for 
God. 

When  the  members  of  a  Christian  society  are 
convened  together  for  the  purpose  of  commemo- 
rating the  Saviour's  death,  they  recognise  each 
other  as  servants  of  the  same  Lord,  as  children 
of  the  same  Father,  and  as  bound  together  by 
the  strongest  ties  of  principle  and  of  affection. 
From  the  nature  of  the  institution,  it  is  easy  in- 
deed to  infer,  that  should  any  one  resort  to  it 
with  a  mind  filled  with  malice,  or  burning  with 
envy,  or  inflamed  with  resentment,  he  will  un- 
doubtedly "  eat  and  drink  unworthily,"  and 
bring  himself  into  condemnation.    He  who  acts 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        143 

thus  is  neither  sincere  nor  consistent.  He  is 
guilty  of  an  awful  profanation  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ.  In  approaching  the  Lord's 
table,  personal  animosities,  secret  jealousies, 
and  unkind  feelings  must  be  entirely  laid  aside ; 
and  toward  every  member  of  the  church  must 
the  heart  glow  with  all  the  tenderness  and 
ardour  of  Christian  love. 

The  sincere  believer  will  not  need  the  cere- 
monials of  a  "  week's  preparation."  Should  he 
unexpectedly  have  an  opportunity  of  thus  testi- 
fying his  allegiance  to  his  Lord,  his  heart  will 
be  ready  for  the  duty.  When,  however,  the 
occasion  is  anticipated,  it  is  necessary  th^t  it 
should  be  preceded  by  special  prayer  a,nd  self- 
examination,  so  that  the  mind  may  be  the  more 
powerfully  affected  with  those  truths  to  which 
its  attention  will  be  directed. 

Except  when  compelled  by  stern  necessity, 
never  leave  the  chapel  during  the  administra- 
tion of  the  Lord's  supper.  Such  a  practice 
generally  indicates  that  the  scenes  of  Calvary 
have  but  feebly  impressed  the  mind,  and  that 
they  have  been  the  objects  of  a  very  defective 
contemplation. 

Let  me,  in  conclusion,  exhort  you  to  a  regular 
attendance  at  the  Lord's  table.  You  thereby 
declare  yourself  a  disciple  of  Christ,  and  testify 
your  attachment  to  the  brethren.  As  a  means 
of  grace  it  is  invaluable.  It  brings  into  opera- 
tion those  principles  and  feelings  which  are  es- 
sential to  the  Christian  character.  It  strength- 
ens faith  and  brightens  hope  ;  it  leads  us  to  see 


J  44  ADMONITOay    COUNSKLS. 

the  evil  of  sin  and  the  beauty  of  holiness ;  it 
promotes  love  to  the  Saviour,  and  increases  our 
attachment  to  his  cause.  It  reminds  us  of  our 
weakness ;  but  it  shows  where  our  strength 
lies,  and  directs  us  to  the  richest  sources  of 
consolation.  It  impresses  more  deeply  upon 
us  our  obligations  to  God,  stimulates  us  to  a 
more  active  obedience,  and  quickens  us  in  the 
pursuit  of  salvation.  In  making  these  state- 
ments, I  of  course  mean  that  the  Lord's  supper 
produces  these  benefits  instrumentally,  not  by 
any  efficiency  of  its  own.  The  papists  call  it 
a  sacrifice,  and  thereby  invalidate  the  one  great 
sacrifice  of  which  it  is  only  a  simple  but  im- 
pressive representation.  In  the  proper  sense 
of  the  term,  it  is  not  even  a  representation  ;  for 
there  is  no  likeness,  no  real,  no  perceptible  re- 
semblance between  the  Saviour's  sufferings 
and  the  elements  of  bread  and  wine.  As  being 
appointed  by  Him,  these  elements  serve  to  re- 
mind us  of  what  he  has  accomplished  on  our 
behalf.  This  is  the  purpose  of  their  institution. 
The  papists  also  ascribe  to  these  elements  an 
intrinsic  efficacy  ;  considering  them  to  possess 
in  themselves  a  transforming  and  sanctifying 
power.  This  destroys  the  necessity  of  the 
agency  of  the  Spirit.  Without  him  to  enlight- 
en, to  impress,  and  to  operate  upon  the  mind, 
the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  supper  will  be  an 
act  of  mere  formality,  or  utter  uselessness. 

Look  up  to  God  for  the  influence  of  his 
Spirit,  and,  assisted  by  him,  punctually  observe 
this  sacred  rite.     Surely  there  is  nothing  for- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        145 

bidding  in  the  contemplation  of  the  Saviour's 
dying  love ;  nothing  terrific  in  viewing  the 
foundation  of  the  sinner's  hope  ;  and  in  these 
glorious  objects  there  is  surely  enough  to  win 
the  most  reluctant,  to  enliven  the  most  luke- 
warm, and  to  rouse  the  most  indifferent. 

For  further  information  on  this  subject,  read 
Mr.  Wesley's  sermon  on  "  The  Duty  of  con- 
stant Communion."  In  this  discourse  the  na- 
ture of  the  ordinance,  and  the  obligations  con- 
nected with  it,  are  exhibited  with  that  clearness 
and  force  which  distinguish  the  writings  of  the 
venerable  founder  of  Methodism.  There  is 
also  a  more  lengthened  and  very  excellent 
treatise  on  the  Lord's  supper  by  the  late  Rev. 
William  Orme  ;  which  may  be  read  with  great 
advantage. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SOCIAL  MEANS   OF    GRACE   (CONTINUED,; CLASS 

MEETINGS,    PRAYER    MEETINGS,    BAND    MRET- 
INGS,  LOVE-FEASTS. 

Methodism  is  distinguished  for  the  number 
of  its  social  ordinances,  and  for  the  peculiar 
nature  of  some  of  them.  Its  love-feasts,  band 
meetings,  and  class  meetings  are  calculated  to 
keep  alive  a  constant,  but  pure  and  healthy 
excitement.  It  is  by  these  institutions  that  it 
so  completely  adapts  itself  to  our  wants  and 
circumstances,  and  develops  and  sanctifies 
the  social  affections  of  our  nature.  The  con- 
10 


146        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

formity  of  these  institutions  with  the  spirit  and 
design  of  Christianity  may  be  inferred  from 
their  manifest  tendency  to  preserve  the  life  and 
power  of  religion,  as  well  as  from  the  very 
evident  sanction  with  which  they  have  been, 
and  are  still,  favoured  by  the  great  Head  of  the 
church.  Not  only  do  they  contribute  to  spirit- 
ual edification  and  comfort,  but  they  bring  into 
exercise  those  natural  and  acquired  qualifica- 
tions for  usefulness,  which  might  otherwise  re- 
main undiscovered  and  inactive.  They  thus 
ensure  to  each  individual  member  his  proper 
post  of  duty  in  the  church,  and  prepare  him  for 
those  labours  which  improved  talents  and  more 
enlarged  experience  may  fit  him  to  undertake. 
These  services  are,  for  the  most  part,  held 
on  the  week-day  evenings.  And  to  the  spirit- 
ually-minded Christian  nothing  surely  can  be 
more  refreshing  than  to  escape  from  the  toil, 
and  bustle,  and  cares  of  the  world,  in  order  to 
realize  the  blessedness  of  communion  with  God 
and  with  his  people.  The  measure  of  attend- 
ance which  is  given  to  these  services  may  be 
generally  regarded  as  a  correct  criterion  of  the 
state  of  the  church.  When  the  week-night 
congregation  is  uniformly  scanty,  when  but 
very  few  are  seen  at  the  band  and  prayer  meet- 
ings, and  when  the  classes  are  attended  by  a 
very  small  proportion  of  their  respective  mem- 
bers, we  have,  in  such  events,  the  melancholy 
symptoms  of  a  general  state  of  lukewarmnesa 
and  declension.  On  the  contrary,  a  regularly 
good  attendance  on  these  occasions  is  to  be  re- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        147 

garded  as  one  indication  of  prosperity ;  and  is 
almost  invariably  connected  with  that  spirit  of 
prayer  and  zeal,  without  which  converts  will 
never  be  multiplied.  To  secure  the  last-men- 
tioned object,  the  use  of  extraordinary  means 
and  efforts  is,  at  times,  both  expedient  and 
necessary ;  but  it  is,  I  think,  undeniable  that 
new  converts  would  be  continually  added  to  the 
church,  would  its  members  but  diligently  use 
the  means  they  already  possess,  and  faithfully 
apply  those  efforts  which  lie  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  duty. 

It  is,  I  presume,  almost  unnecessary  to  state, 
that  tha  social  are  not  to  be  substituted  for  the 
private  means  of  grace.  Indeed,  a  regular  at- 
tendance on  the  social  means  will,  I  think,  be 
generally  found  connected  with  a  regular  ob- 
servance of  private  means :  when  the  latter 
are  neglected,  there  will  be  no  relish  for  the 
former. 

If  you  are  free  from  domestic  ties  and  im- 
pediments, if  you  have  the  power  of  arranging 
and  of  pursuing  your  own  plans,  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  saying,  that  it  is  your  duty  to  at- 
tend all  the  means  of  grace.  To  accomplish 
this,  will  at  times,  perhaps,  demand  the  sacri- 
fice of  some  personal  convenience  or  gratifica- 
tion, and  call  for  decision  and  self-denial :  but 
decision  and  self-denial,  in  such  cases,  are 
never  practised  in  vain ;  they  receive  a  present 
and  a  rich  reward.  Even  your  worldly  occu 
pation,  when  it  can  be  left,  ought  not  to  be  re- 
garded as  a  suflfjcient  excuse  for  not  attending 


148  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

regularly  the  social  ordinances  of  the  church. 
Although  absence  from  the  duties  of  your  call- 
ing may  not  be  so  satisfactory  as  your  personal 
superintendence,  yet  ultimately,  perhaps,  you 
will  not  find  it  injurious  to  your  worldly  con- 
cerns if  you  occasionally  leave  them  in  the 
care  of  your  heavenly  Master,  for  the  sake  of 
promoting  the  interests  of  his  church,  and  of 
securing  your  own  spiritual  improvement. 

When  the  claims  of  worldly  occupation  or  of 
domestic  duties  are  so  imperative  as  to  render 
it  impossible  to  observe  all  the  social  means, 
you  will,  if  earnestly  seeking  salvation,  make 
those  arrangements  by  which  you  may  accom- 
plish what  is  practicable.  All  that  is  practi- 
cable is  obligatory :  more  than  this  cannot  be 
required,  and  less  should  not  be  given.  And 
if  you  are  in  those  circumstances  or  under  those 
restraints,  which  incapacitate  you  from  attend- 
ing any  of  the  week-night  services,  you  will 
find  it  not  unprofitable  to  mark  the  hour  at 
which  ycfur  brethren  assemble,  and  to  make  it, 
as  far  as  possible,  a  season  of  prayer  and  medi- 
tation :  so  that  while  absent  in  body,  you  may 
be  with  them  in  spirit. 

As  MEETING  IN  CLASS  is,  with  Mcthodists, 
one  of  the  conditions  of  membership,  you 
scarcely  need  to  be  reminded  of  your  obliga- 
tions to  attend  regularly  on  this  important 
means  of  grace.  If  you  are  sincere,  the  class 
meeting  will  neither  be  dreaded  nor  disliked. 
There  is,  perhaps,  no  religions  ordinance  more 
delightful  and  salutary  in  its  influence  on  the 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        149 

minds  of  those  who  diligently  seek  God,  and 
who  endeavour  faithfully  to  serve  him.  As 
they  have  no  motive  for  concealing  their  actual 
state  and  character,  they  can  sustain  the  test 
to  which  the  class  meeting  subjects  them  ;  they 
can,  with  frankness,  humility,  and  gratitude,  de- 
scribe their  religious  experience ;  and:  in  the 
utterance  of  their  own  feelings,  in  listening  to 
the  statements  of  their  fellow-members,  and  in 
receiving  the  admonitions  of  their  leader,  they 
find  themselves  stimulated,  strengthened,  and 
encouraged ;  they  are  blessed  with  manifesta- 
tions of  the  divine  presence  and  favour,  and  re- 
turn to  their  homes,  cleaving  unto  the  Lord  with 
increased  confidence,  attachment,  and  devoted- 
ness.  Such  are  the  advantages  which  class 
meetings  are  the  means  of  conferring  on  those 
who  resort  to  them  in  sincerity  ;  and  those  who 
realize  such  advantages  will  not  need  either 
remonstrance  or  entreaty,  in  order  to  secure 
their  regular  attendance.  If  they  are  occasion- 
ally absent,  their  absence  will  be  the  result  of 
causes  over  which  they  have  no  control. 

To  the  unwatchful,  cold-hearted,  and  worldly- 
minded  professor,  class  meetings  are  an  unwel- 
come ordeal.  His  false  pretensions,  his  super- 
ficial experience,  shrink  from  the  searching  in- 
vestigation :  when  he  does  venture  to  submit 
to  it,  his  soul  is  oppressed  with  the  conscious- 
ness of  its  criminal  deficiencies  ;  and  instead 
of  being  filled  with  peace  and  joy,  he  is  loaded 
with  shame  and  self-reproach.  Three  alterna- 
tives lie  before  him  :  either  he  must  rouse  him- 


150        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

self  from  his  lethargy,  and  by  prayer  and  faith 
obtain  mercy  through  the  atoning  blood ;  or  he 
must,  by  stifling  conviction,  and  by  silencing 
the  reproofs  of  conscience,  so  harden  his  feel- 
ings as  to  render  them  impenetrable ;  or  he 
must  altogether  discontinue  his  attendance, — a 
measure  most  generally  adopted  by  those  who 
yield  to  a  spirit  of  formality  and  deadness.  It 
is  needless  to  say  which  of  these  alternatives 
ought  to  be  chosen.  That  you  may  avoid  the 
necessity  of  selecting  either  of  them,  be  dili- 
gent, be  earnest  in  private  duties. 

Some  who  are  truly  devout  may  be  unable 
to  relish  class  meetings,  in  consequence  of 
nat\iral  diffidence,  or  peculiarity  of  mental  con- 
stitution. I  cannot,  however,  but  think  that 
these  difficulties  might,  in  most  cases,  be  over- 
come. If  you  have  to  encounter  them,  do  not 
quietly  yield  them  the  victory.  Try  what  can 
be  accomplished  by  prayer  and  perseverance. 
Look  up  to  God  for  strength  :  strengthened  by 
him,  your  nervous  timidity  and  unnecessary 
self-restraint  will  depart ;  and  that  which  is 
now  regarded  with  anxiety,  will  be  anticipated 
with  gladness ;  that  which  has  now  to  be 
borne  as  a  cross,  will  be  appreciated  as  a  pri- 
vilege. 

Never  absentyourself  from  your  class  merely 
because  you  are  in  a  dull  and  languid  state  of 
feeling.  When  your  temper  has  been  irritated, 
your  mind  harassed,  or  your  spirits  exhausted 
by  trying  circumstances  or  by  pressing  anxi- 
eties, you  are  ready  te  conclude  that  by  going 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         151 

to  class,  you  will  neither  obtain  nor  impart  any- 
spiritual  good ;  that  the  statement  of  your  ex- 
perience will  neither  be  creditable  nor  edifying; 
and  by  these,  or  similar  reasonings,  you  may  be 
induced  to  believe,  that  remaining  at  home  is 
not  the  result  of  inclination,  but  an  act  of  duty. 
Such  are  the  devices  by  which  Satan  endeav- 
ours to  prevent  thei  people  of  God  from  using 
the  means  best  calculated  to  remove  the  evils 
against  which  they  have  to  struggle.  It  is  to 
his  interest  that  you  should  absent  yourself  from 
religious  ordinances,  when  you  most  need  their 
quickening  and  comforting  influence.  When 
you  feel  the  repugnance  adverted  to,  resist  it, — 
conquer  it.  Resolutely  perform  what  is  ob- 
viously your  duty  ;  and  if  it  be  a  sacrifice,  make 
it.  Let  those  considerations  which  have  been 
suggested  to  you  as  excuses  for  absence,  be 
viewed  as  the  strongest  possible  reasons  for 
your  presence.  Go  to  your  class,  casting  your- 
self on  the  mercy  of  God  ;  and  you  shall  be  re- 
warded for  your  obedience.  You  shall  be  able 
to  give  the  testimony  which  thousands  have 
given,  who  have  gone  to  this  ordinance  with 
darkened,  desponding,  and  reluctant  minds,  but 
who  have  returned  from  it  with  their  burden  re- 
moved, with  their  strength  renovated,  and  their 
hearts  rejoicing  in  God. 

I  need  not  say,  be  in  time.  The  reasons 
whiph  have  been  urged  for  an  early  attendance 
on  public  worship,  are  equally  applicable  to  the. 
class  meeting.  '■* 

If  possible,  secure  a  few  minutes  for  previous 


152        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

retirement.  As  you  proceed  to  the  place  of 
meeting,  let  your  mind  be  occupied  in  prayer 
and  self-examination.  Never  premeditate  a 
speecn  :  let  your  statement  be  the  simple  spon- 
taneous expression  of  your  feelings.  Use  no 
high-sounding  words ;  neither  aim  at  forming 
a  finely-turned  sentence.  Let  your  language  be 
such  as  will  convey  to  your  leader  some  distinct 
and  definite  ideas  of  the  state  of  your  mind. 
Avoid,  as  much  as  possible,  those  religious 
technicalities  and  cant  phrases  which  mean 
either  any  thing  or  nothing,  and  from  which  no 
conclusion  can  possibly  be  drawn  as  to  whether 
the  party  who  uses  them  is  a  saint  or  a  sinner. 
Avoid  all  aflfectation.  Let  both  your  tone  and 
manner  be  perfectly  natural.  Speak  as  you 
would  in  ordinary  conversation,  on  any  subject 
which  you  felt  to  be  of  great  importance,  and 
in  which  you  had  a  deep  personal  interest. 
Endeavour  to  throw  oflf  the  restraint  and  stiff- 
ness, which  it  is  to  be  feared  are  too  prevalent, 
and  wliich  chill  the  feelings,  and  cause  an  un- 
necessary reserve.  Let  your  whole  demeanour 
be  marked  by  modesty,  humility,  and  self-pos- 
session ;  and  while  you  shun  whatever  might 
betoken  an  unseemly  boldness,  speak  with  suf- 
ficient loudness  to  be  heard  by  your  fellow- 
members.  It  is  for  their  edification  that  you 
are  present,  as  well  as  for  your  own.  Remem- 
ber also  that  you  are  not  surrounded  by  critics 
and  enemies,  but  by  Christian  friends:  give 
them  credit  for  kindly  feeling  and  affectionate 
sympathy.    But  above  all,  realize  the  presence 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        153 

of  God ;  and  remember  that  it  is  to  God,  and 
not  to  man,  to  whom  you  must  give  an  account. 

In  describing  your  spiritual  state,  be  as  brief 
as  is  consistent  with  justice  to  yourself,  to  your 
leader,  and  to  your  class-mates.  Needless 
repetitions  and  lengthened  details,  of  course, 
become  tedious,  and  destroy  the  interest  and 
utility  of  the  meeting.  In  a  large  class  brevity 
of  speech  on  the  part  of  each  member  is  indis- 
pensable ;  and  in  a  small  one,  it  is  neither  judi- 
cious nor  faultless  to  make  that  a  trial  of  patience 
which  ought  to  be  a  source  of  interest,  and  a 
means  of  spiritual  improvement.  Providing 
your  words  are  to  the  purpose,  the  fewer  they 
are  in  number  the  better. 

Let  your  statements  be  as  explicit  as  will  be 
consistent  with  prudence.  The  class  meeting  is 
not  the  place  for  proclaiming  family  grievances, 
nor  for  casting  reflections  upon  those  who  may 
have  treated  you  unkindly.  Trials  like  these, 
if  mentioned  at  all,  should  only  be  alluded  to  in 
the  most  general  terms.  If  during  the  week 
you  have  received  any  signal  manifestation  of 
the  divine  favour,  or  have  passed  through  any 
severe  conflicts,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  relate 
such  events  with  a  view  to  the  edification  of 
others.  Some  of  the  difficulties  and  tempta- 
tions which  you  have  to  encounter,  you  may 
describe  more  particularly ;  taking  care  that 
the  details  do  not  occupy  too  much  time,  and 
that  they  have  also  a  manifest  tendency  to  bene- 
fit your  brethren.  In  short,  if  you  are  losing 
ground  in  religion,  acknowledge  it ;  if  you  are 


154  ADMONITORY    CfOUNSELS. 

advancing,  thankfully  declare  it.  Avoid  hypo- 
crisy in  every  form ;  conscientiously  guard 
against  exaggeration  ;  never  misrepresent  facts, 
nor  pervert  truth.  But  in  avoiding  hypocrisy, 
you  need  not  be  guilty  of  indiscretion  :  you  may 
maintain  your  iAtegrity,  without  violating  every 
sense  of  propriety.  Remember  that  you  are  in 
a  Methodist  class  meeting,  and  not  in  a  popish 
confessional ;  and  that  your  leader  is  a  Chris- 
tian friend,  and  not  an  emissary  of  antichrist. 
Should  you  have  any  painful  anxiety  on  your 
mind,  the  precise  nature  or  causes  of  which  it 
would  not  be  expedient  to  specify  in  your  class, 
lay  the  matter  before  God,  and  make  it  the  sub- 
ject of  enlarged  and  special  supplication.  If, 
however,  relief  is  not  obtained,  and  if  the  cir- 
cumstances be  such  as  to  render  judicious  coun- 
sel desirable,  you  may  in  confidence  consult 
either  your  leader  or  your  superintendent :  re- 
membering that  to  enable  the  party  consulted 
to  form  a  correct  judgment,  the  facts  must  be 
fully  and  fairly  stated  ;  and  that  prayer  should 
be  previously  offered  that  God  would  lead  your 
adviser  to  a  right  decision. 

In  your  choice  of  a  class  leader,  you  may 
probably  have  to  be  guided,  in  a  great  measure, 
by  considerations  of  time  and  place  ;  but  if 
these  are  matters  of  indifference,  you  will  of 
course  select  one  whose  deportment  and  cha- 
racter are  calculated  to  win  your  esteem  and 
confidence,  and  whose  wisdom  and  piety  will 
qualify  him  for  imparting  seasonable  and  faith- 
ful counsel.    When  you  have  made  your  selec- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        155 

tion,  steadfastly  adhere  to  it.  Never  become  a 
wanderer  from  class  to  class.  Those  who  yield 
to  this  unsettled,  roving  habit,  seldom,  if  ever, 
make  any  satisfactory  progress  in  religion.  He 
who  is  frequently  changing  his  class  leader  is 
either  excessively  unfortunate  or  excessively 
capricious  ;  but  most  probably  the  latter.  When 
circumstances  exist  which,  in  your  views,  jus- 
tify you  in  removing  from  one  class  to  another, 
previously  state  your  intention  to  the  leader, 
whose  instructions  you  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  receiving  ;  frankly  tell  him  the  causes  of  the 
arrangement  you  have  adopted  :  if  those  causes 
have  no  reference  either  to  his  personal  or 
official  conduct,  or  to  the  conduct  of  any  of  the 
members,  your  removal  will  be  the  less  painful 
to  him.  If,  however,  you  have  any  cause  of 
complaint,  either  against  your  leader,  or  against 
a  fellow-member,  you  are  bound  in  justice  ex- 
plicitly to  state  your  grievance  to  the  offender. 
This  mode  of  proceeding  will  often  remove  the 
difficulty.  But  on  this  subject  more  will  here- 
after be  said.  Always  treat  your  leader  with 
kindness  and  respect. 

Toward  your  fellow-members  of  the  class, 
let  your  deportment  evince  the  cordiality  of 
Christian  affection.  I  need  not,  I  trust,  warn 
you  against  yielding  to  any  temptation  you  may 
be  under  to  criticise  the  phraseology  or  man- 
ner of  speaking  adopted  by  others.  Christian 
consistency  forbids  this.  Nor  will  you,  unless 
you  are  destitute  of  every  proper  feeling,  ridi- 
cule the  peculiarities  which  others  may  possess 


156        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

Neither  will  you  harbour  the  slightest  suspicion 
of  the  sincerity  of  any  one,  unless  you  have  a 
certain  knowledge  of  facts  which  justify  it. 
Rather  cultivate  and  bring  forth  the  fruits  of 
that  chaj-ity  which  hopeth  all  things,  which 
beareth  all  things,  which  thinketh  no  evil,  but 
suffereth  long,  and  is  kind. 

The  ordinance  which  has  the  next  claim  on 
your  attention  is  the  weekly  prayer  meeting. 
If,  in  the  arrangement  of  Providence,  there  be 
an  inseparable  connection  between  the  means 
and  the  end, — if  the  latter  cannot  be  realized 
without  the  former, — then  is  a  spirit  of  united, 
persevering,  and  believing  prayer  essential  to 
the  prosperity  of  a  Christian  church.  To  ex- 
pect prosperity  without  prayer  is  presumption  ; 
and  all  excitement,  unconnected  with  the  spirit 
of  prayer,  is  fanaticism.  As  the  Christian  can- 
not live  without  prayer,  so  neither  can  the 
church ;  and  as  the  individual  who  most  fre- 
quently and  fervently  prays  will  advance  most 
rapidly  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  Christ,  so 
the  church,  the  members  of  which  most  regu- 
larly and  cordially  unite  in  the  prayer  of  faith, 
will  be  most  abundantly  favoured  with  manifest- 
ations of  the  presence  and  power  of  Jehovah. 

The  spirit  of  united  prayer,  and  a  state  either 
of  discord  or  of  declension,  never  yet  existed 
together.  Such  a  combination  is,  in  the  nature 
of  things,  impossible.  How  can  they  who  fre- 
quently meet  for  the  purpose  of  imploring  bless- 
ings on  each  other,  cherish  a  spirit  of  conten- 
tion, or  employ  the  language  of  recrimination  ? 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  157 

How  can  they  experience  a  declension  in  piety, 
who  sustain  each  other  by  mutual  intercession, 
and  who  thereby  bring  into  exercise  the  most 
important  principles  and  virtues  of  the  Christian 
character  1  United  prayer  is  the  best  remedy 
for  those  evils  under  which  the  church  has,  at 
limes,  to  groan ;  and  the  surest  method  of 
sanctifying  those  afflictions  through  which  the 
church  has,  at  times,  to  pass.  If,  on  the  first 
appearance  of  the  symptoms  of  disunion,  the 
parties,  instead  of  struggling  and  contending, 
would  agree  to  refer  the  matters  in  dispute  to 
God,  the  divine  Arbitrator,  and  would  strive  and 
wrestle  together  in  their  prayers  for  divine  illu- 
mination and  direction,  the  controversy  would 
soon  be  over,  and  "one  mind"  and  "one  judg- 
ment" would  be  given  to  the  supplicaiits.  Their 
views  would,  on  many  points,  be  reversed : 
things  which  previously  had  the  magnitude  of 
mountains,  would  have  the  insignificance  of 
molehills  ;  while  what  was  previously  regard- 
ed as  subordinate,  would  be  invested  with  a 
supreme  importance. 

The  value  of  united  prayer  to  a  religious 
society  can  never,  in  this  world,  be  adequately 
estimated,  because  the  amount  of  benefit  result- 
ing from  it  can  never  be  fully  ascertained.  Its 
blessings  are  not  to  be  limited  to  those  which 
are  open  to  observation ;  but,  considering  the 
enemies  to  which  the  church  is  exposed,  we 
must  think  of  the  unseen  evils  that  are  prevent- 
ed by  the  believing  prayers  of  a  united  people. 
Supposing  these  prayers  to  be  discontinued,  it 


158        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

is  impossible  to  tell  how  many  instances  of  foul 
and  disgraceful  apostacy  might  occur,  or  what 
a  death-like  spiritual  slumber  would  paralyze 
the  church,  or  to  what  extent  corruption  in  doc- 
trine and  in  practice  might  prevail.  Worldli- 
ness  and  pride  would  get  possession  of  many 
hearts,  which  might  otherwise  be  filled  with 
spirituality  and  meekness.  Satan  would  find 
his  conquests  both  numerous  and  easy ;  either 
he  would  induce  a  state  of  universal  lukewarm- 
ness  and  carnal  security,  or  he  would  cause 
"  grievous  wolves  to  enter  in,  not  sparing  the 
flock ;"  or  "  from  among  their  ownselves"  he 
would  prompt  "  men  to  arise,  speaking  perverse 
things,  to  draw  away  disciples  after  them." 
But  the  spirit  of  united  prayer  enables  the 
church  to  present  a  strong  phalanx  against  the 
powers  of  darkness,  and  against  the  inroads  of 
error  and  of  sin.  It  scatters  to  the  winds  the  ele- 
ments of  discord,  and  gives  supremacy  to  mu- 
tual confidence  and  mutual  love.  It  brings  down 
copious  showers  of  divine  influence,  which 
purify  and  enrich  those  upon  whom  they  descend, 
and  the  fruits  of  which  are  exhibited  in  the 
growing  piety,  the  settled  peace,  the  ardent  zeal, 
and  the  steady  increase  of  the  whole  society. 

The  church  is  a  living  witness  for  God,  the 
conservator  of  his  truth,  and  the  disseminator 
of  its  blessings.  That  this  high  character  may 
be  maintained,  that  the  obligations  connected 
with  it  may  be  fulfilled,  that  the  honours  award- 
ed to  it  may  be  enjoyed,  the  spirit  of  united 
prayer  must  possess  a  pre-eminent  influence. 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        159 

and  its  importance  must  be  practically  acknow- 
ledged. And  when  we  contemplate  the  state 
of  the  world,  the  gross  darkness  which  covers 
it,  the  sensuality  that  enslaves  it,  and  the  viru- 
lent opposition  to  God  by  which  it  is  actuated ; 
and  when  we  look  at  the  comparative  insignifi- 
cance of  the  number  of  real  Christians,  we 
naturally  adopt  the  conclusion,  that  something 
more  than  merely  human  energy  must  be  put 
forth,  in  order  to  transform  and  purify  that  liv- 
ing mass  of  corruption  which  the  world  pre- 
sents. God  has  promised  to  pour  out  his  Spirit 
upon  all  flesh  ;  but  the  fulfilment  of  the  promise 
will  be  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  his  people. 
The  moral  destinies  of  the  world  are  therefore, 
in  a  certain  sense,  placed  in  their  hands.  It 
consequently  behooves  every  individual  of  them 
to  consider  his  awful  responsibility  in  this  re- 
spect. Every  member  of  a  Methodist  society 
who  constantly  and  needlessly  absents  himself 
from  the  weekly  prayer  meeting,  does  his  share 
toward  banishing  the  spirit  of  prayer  from  that 
society ;  he  does  that  which,  if  universally 
practised  by  his  brethren,  would  present  to  the 
gaze  of  earth  and  heaven  the  awful,  melan- 
choly speptacle  of  a  prayerless  church;  and 
pursues  a  course  which,  if  universally  adopted, 
would  keep  the  cause  of  religion  in  its  present 
feeble  and  diminutive  state  of  existence,  pre- 
vent the  accomplishment  of  the  divine  promises, 
perpetuate  the  misery,  the  pollution,  and  the 
guilt  of  a  world  lying  in  wickedness,  and  mul- 
tiply the  number  of  the  lost. 


160        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

Seeing,  then,  that  the  interests  of  the  church, 
the  conversion  of  the  world,  and  the  glory  of 
God  are  so  immediately  involved  in  this  matter, 
let  me  prevail  upon  you  to  exert  your  influence 
toward  promoting  in  the  society  with  which 
you  are  connected  a  spirit  of  united  prayer. 
We  learn  from  the  highest  authority,  that  the 
effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
availeth  much :  from  this  it  necessarily  follows 
that  the  effectual  fervent  prayers  of  many  right- 
eous will  avail  proportionably  more,  and  be 
attended  with  a  proportionable  increase  of  suc- 
cess. Who  can  doubt  of  this  when  it  is  remem- 
bered, that  these  petitions  are  addressed  to 
Him  whose  distinguishing  prerogative  it  is  to 
hear  and  to  answer  prayer — whose  "  faithful- 
ness is  everlasting" — who  "  delighteth  in 
mercy" — who  "  rejoices  in  the  prosperity  of 
his  people" — and  who  "  hath  no  pleasure  in 
the  death  of  the  wicked  ?"  What  a  powerful 
instrument  for  good  do  the  churches  of  Christ 
possess  in  the  presentation  of  united  and  be- 
lieving prayer  to  the  throne  of  the  heavenly 
grace !  And  surely,  if  ever  there  was  a  time 
when  the  vigorous  use  of  this  instrument  was 
needed,  that  time  is  the  present ;  if  ever  there 
were  circumstances  which  called  upon  the 
people  of  God  to  be  united  in  this  great  work, 
those  circumstances  now  exist. 

Your  own  spiritual  benefit  will  be  greatly 
promoted  by  regularly  meeting  with  your  bre- 
thren for  the  exercise  of  social  prayer.  In  tho 
petitions  that  are  presented  your  own  wants 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        161 

are  specified,  your  own  desires  expressed  ;  and 
when  blessings  are  supplicated  for  the  whole 
society,  you  feel  that  you  have  a  personal  inte- 
rest in  them.  While,  therefore,  you  join  in 
making  intercession  on  behalf  of  your  brethren, 
you  will  have  the  cheering  assurance  that  they 
also  are  interceding  for  you  ;  and  thus  you  will 
combine  many  of  the  advantages  of  private  de- 
votion with  the  exhilarating  and  sanctifying 
effects  of  united  supplication.  But  the  profit- 
able influence  which  you  will  derive  from  the 
prayer  meeting  will  not  be  confined  to  the 
meeting  itself.  United  prayer  will  secure  the 
divine  blessing  on  all  the  other  means  of 
grace ;  they  will  be  accompanied  with  an 
unction  and  a  power  proportioned  to  the  fre- 
quency, fervour,  and  faith  with  which  the 
members  implore  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit 
upon  them  in  all  their  religious  exercises. 
And  unless  this  be  done,  there  will  be  no 
genuine  prosperity.  Neither  public  worship, 
nor  the  Lord's  supper,  nor  class  meetings,  nor 
band  meetings,  nor  love-feasts  will  be  attended 
with  any  remarkable  blessing  unless  the  ob- 
servance of  them  be  connected  with  the  spirit 
of  united  prayer. 

That  this  very  important  ordinance  should 
be  neglected  and  undervalued,  is  truly  lament- 
able. Yet  so  it  is.  In  many  societies  the 
weekly  prayer  meeting,  instead  of  being  at- 
tended, as  it  might  be  and  ought  to  be,  by  a 
fair  majority  of  the  members,  is  attended  by 
only  a  small  minority.  These  things  ought 
11 


162        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

not  to  be.     Let  not  my  reader  contribute  to  the 
existence  of  such  an  evil. 

To  render  the  prayer  meeting  effective,  all 
that  are  present  should  earnestly  and  believ- 
ingly  pray ;  the  attention  of  each  individual 
should  closely  follow  the  thoughts  and  the  lan- 
guage of  the  person  who  may  be  engaged  in 
the  audible  act  of  supplication  ;  and,  as  recom- 
mended in  public  worship,  you  will,  by  utter- 
ing the  usual  responses,  signify  your  adoption 
of  the  sentiments  expressed.  Do  not,  how- 
ever, fall 'into  the  practice,  which  I  have  too 
frequently  observed,  of  mending  the  prayers  of 
your  brethren  ;  do  not  finish  their  sentences  for 
them,  nor  make  additions  to  them.  They  will 
do  much  better  without  such  assistance,  which 
will  only  embarrass  them,  and  prevent  others 
from  deriving  any  benefit  from  the  petitions 
offered.  While  responses,  seasonably  uttered, 
greatly  enliven  a  meeting,  it  is  unnecessary  for 
more  than  one  person  at  a  time  to  be  audibly 
engaged  in  the  duty  of  prayer.  All  those  loud 
and  continuous  expressions  of  fervour,  which 
interrupt  and  drown  the  voice  of  the  person 
officiating,  should  be  avoided.  When,  how- 
ever, a  powerful  excitement  exists,  ^tnd  when 
it  is  evidently  the  result  of  deep  and  genuine 
feeling,  the  consequent  confusion  must  be 
patiently  endured :  if  it  be  at  variance  with 
your  taste,  do  not  resist  it,  nor  absent  yourself 
from  the  meeting  on  account  of  it.  Haply  you 
may  be  found  fighting  against  God ;  and  in 
attempting  to  root  up  the  tares,  you  may  also 


ADMONITORY    COUNSKLS.  163 

root  up  the  wheat  with  them.  Not  that  I  con- 
sider scenes  of  noisy  excitement  in  prayer 
meetings  as  in  the  least  necessary  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  true  religion,  or  as  furnishing  any 
indications  of  superior  zeal.  All  violent  ex- 
citements must  subside  :  this  is  a  law  of  nature  : 
they  exhaust  themselves  by  their  own  violence, 
and  the  reaction  which  follows  brings  on  a  state 
of  proportionable  languor  and  insensibility. 

That  there  can  be  zeal  without  excitement, 
is,  I  am  aware,  impossible  ;  and  that  the  work 
of  conversion  must  proceed  much  more  rapidly 
than  it  now  does,  if  the  world  is  to  be  Chris- 
tianized, is  undeniably  certain.  But  religious 
excitement  may,  I  think,  be  so  directed  and 
moderated  as  to  maintain  a  perpetual  influence. 
There  may  be  a  zeal  which  shall  not  be  the 
less  efficient,  although  guided  by  discretion — 
an  exultation  of  spiritual  joy,  which  shall  not 
be  the  less  real,  nor  the  less  valuable,  although 
it  be  awed  and  chastened  by  a  solemn  sense  of 
the  holiness  and  majesty  of  God.  But  those 
who  think  themselves  sober-minded  in  such 
matters,  cai.not  always  have  their  wishes  grati- 
fied ;  and  if  we  intend  to  do  good,  we  must 
often  consent  to  sacrifice  our  own  feelings,  and 
accommodate  ourselves  to  the  views  and  pecu- 
liarities of  Qlhers.  If,  indeed,  we  withhold  our 
co-operation  until  every  proceeding  is  in  perfect 
conformity  with  our  standard  of  propriety,  our 
co-operation,  perhaps,  will  never  be  given  ;  and 
we  shall  incur  the  responsibility  of  refusing  to. 
act  when  the  circumstances  of  the  church  de- 


164  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

mand  the  exertions  and  influence  of  every  indi 
vidual  member. 

In  revival  prayer  meetings  there  is  frequently 
one  source  of  disorder,  which  must  not  be  con- 
demned even  by  the  most  fastidious  taste.  I 
refer  to  the  cries  of  penitents.  To  suspect  the 
parties  of  hypocrisy  before  their  hypocrisy  can 
be  proved,  is  flagrantly  unjust ;  and  the  most 
rational  philosophy  will,  I  suppose,  admit  the 
possibility  of  the  mind  being  so  overwhelmed 
with  a  sense  of  guilt,  as  to  be  constrained  to 
give  vent  to  its  emotions  in  loud  and  bitter 
wailings.  But  it  is  not  by  penitents  exclusively 
that  the  disorder  of  a  revival  meeting  is  created : 
it  is  often  caused,  principally,  by  those  who, 
without  injury  to  themselves  or  others,  might 
practice  a  little  more  self-restraint  than  they 
seem  inclined  to  submit  to.  Experienced  and 
established  members  of  the  society  are  fre- 
quently the  loudest  in  their  acclamations.  This 
is  both  unnecessary  and  injurious.  A  more 
quiet  mode  of  proceeding  would  enable  them 
more  effectually  to  discharge  the  important 
duties  in  which,  on  such  occasions,  they  ought 
to  be  engaged. 

In  conversing  with  penitents  in  a  revival 
prayer  meeting,  ask  them,  in  a  tone  of  calmness 
and  kindness,  a  few  leading  questions,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  their  views  and  feelings. 
If,  from  their  replies,  you  have  reason  to  con- 
sider them  really  awakened,  direct  them  at 
once  to  the  cross  ;  speak  of  the  infinite  efficacy 
of  the  atoning  blood  ;  quote  to  them  the  pro- 


ADMONITORY    COb.VSELS.  1G5 

raises  of  pardoning  mercy  ;  remind  them  of  the 
declarations  concerning  the  death  of  Christ,  and 
his  ability  to  save.  Urge  them  at  once  to  be- 
lieve these  declarations  and  promises  ;  to  cast 
themselves  now  on  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and 
to  confide  in  him  for  salvation  ;  and  if  peace 
should  not  immediately  result,  to  persist  in  the 
exercise  of  this  confidence  until  the  assurance 
of  pardon  is  given.  It  is  useless  to  exhort 
penitents  to  believe,  unless  you  also  tell  them 
what  to  believe.  The  most  effectual  mode  of 
bringing  faith  into  operation,  is  to  place  before 
them  the  object  and  reasons  of  faith.  Solemnly 
charge  the  penitent  never  to  cease  praying  and 
struggling  against  unbelief  until  its  power  is 
broken,  and  its  darkness  has  passed  away. 

When  you  engage  in  the  exercise  of  social 
prayer,  avoid  tediousness.  Be  short.  Be  fer- 
vent. In  order  to  keep  up  the  interest  of  a 
prayer  meeting  not  fewer  than  six  should  pray 
within  the  hour.  As  it  is  desirable  that  each 
prayer  should  be  preceded  by  singing,  the  time 
occupied  by  each  individual  should  not  be 
longer  than  seven  or  eight  minutes. 

Abstain  from  the  common-place  phraseology 
which  is  so  often  used  in  the  commencement 
of  a  prayer.  You  need  hot  spend  time  in  de- 
lineating the  divine  character,  which  has,  per- 
haps, been  repeatedly  done  before ;  but  go 
direct  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  at  once  adopt 
the  language  of  supplication. 

I  have  elsewhere  mentioned  those  objects 
for  the  accomplishment  of  which  the  Christian 


JU. 


166  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

should  pray  in  his  closet;  and  most  of  them 
are  specially  suitable  for  social  prayer.  To 
secure  variety,  it  may  be  as  well  to  select 
those  which  have  not  been  adverted  to  by 
those  who  may  have  preceded  you.  All  who 
officiate  in  a  public  prayer  meeting  should, 
however,  earnestly  plead  for  the  conversion  of 
sinners.  Do  not,  in  ordinary,  make  yourself 
nor  your  relatives  the  subjects  of  distinct  pe- 
tition :  at  home  this  is  your  duty  ;  in  public  it 
is  unnecessary  and  unseasonable. 

Generally  speaking,  it  is  exceedingly  inju- 
dicious to  continue  a  prayer  meeting  to  a  very 
late  hour  in  the  evening.  And  although  circum- 
stances may  at  times  exist,  when  the  occupation 
of  a  longer  period  than  usual  is  justifiable,  yet 
even  then,  to  protract  the  meeting  to  a  very  late 
hour  is  strongly  to  be  deprecated.  The  ex- 
haustion caused  by  such  a  proceeding  prevents 
both  private  and  family  duties  from  being  j)ro- 
perly  attended  to.  Those  who  occupy  subor- 
dinate situations  in  lv)useholds  are  not  only 
involved  in  personal  unpleasantness,  but  have 
perhaps  to  listen  to  blasphemies  against  religion, 
provoked  by  the  inconvenience  to  which  the 
family  are  subjected.  Moreover,  there  are 
considerations  in  reference  to  young  people 
which  render  their  v6ry  late  continuance  at  a 
prayer  meeting  both  imprudent  and  improper. 
It  is  true,  that  by  concluding  the  meeting  at  a 
reasonable  hour,  some  penitents  may  go  away 
with  their  distress  unrelieved  ;  but,  if  they  are 
really  penitents,  and  if  suitable  instructions  be 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        167 

given  them,  ihey  may,  I  think,  be  safely  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  that  God  who  knows  their 
sorrows,  and  who  regards  them  with  infinite 
tenderness.  It  will  be  better  to  intrust  them 
to  his  keeping  than  that  his  name  should  be 
dishonoured  and  his  cause  needlessly  injured. 
"  Let  not  your  good  be  evil  spoken  of." 

The  BAND  MEETING*  Stands  nexts  in  im- 
portance. Where  this  institution  is  held  only 
monthly,  or  once  a  fortnight,  a  regular  attend- 
ance is  incumbent  upon  you.  Should  it  be  of 
weekly  occurrence,  I  would  recommend  you  to 
resort  to  it  as  frequently  as  possible  ;  as  fre- 
quently as  you  conscientiously  believe  to  be 
consistent  with  the  claims  of  your  family,  and 
of  your  class,  and  of  the  weekly  prayer  meeting. 

The  directions  given  in  reference  to  class 
meetings  will,  for  the  most  part,  be  applicable 
to  the  band  meeting.  As,  however,  in  the  latter 
you  are  not  called  upon  to  relate  your  Christian 
experience,  let  me  exhort  you  not  to  be  back- 
ward or  reluctant  merely  because  the  matter  is 
left  to  your  own  choice.  Should  there  be  a 
pause  in  the  meeting,  do  not  hesitate  to  shorten 
its  continuance  :  your  example  may  stimulate 
others,  and  a  gentle  word  of  exhortation  against 
silence  may  not  be  without  its  effect.  When 
you  feel  an  inclination  to  speak,  embrace  the 
first  opportunity  of  obeying  it :  do  not  wait  for 
your  elders  ;  such  delays  are  neither  expedient 
nor  lawful.     By  continuing  to  hesitate  you  will 

•  *  Band  meetings  are  peculiar  to  the  British  Connec- 
tion.— Am.  Ed:     ■ 


168        ADMONITORV  COUNSELS. 

perhaps  quench  the  ardour  of  desire,  and  be 
compelled  to  leave  the  meeting  without  giving 
utterance  to  your  feelings,  and  consequently  go 
away  self-condemned. 

The  design  of  the  band  meeting  is  to  as- 
semble the  society  together,  that  the  members 
may  encourage  and  edify  each  other  by  "  de- 
claring what  God  hath  done  for  their  souls." 
These  meetings  also  furnish  opportunities  for 
sanctified  Christian  intercourse,  and  for  the 
cultivation  of  Christian  sympathy  and  kindness. 
As  their  results  are  intended  to  operate  on  the 
whole  church,  they  are  an  important  and 
valuable  appendage  to  Methodism.  Let  them 
only  be  duly  appreciated,  and  their  advantages 
will  be  manifest. 

As  LovE-FEASTs  are  held- but  quarterly  in 
each  society,  you  will,  it  is  presumed,  be  gene- 
rally able  to  attend.  They  enable  members 
from  different  parts  of  the  circuit,  and  perhaps 
also  of  neighbouring  circuits,  to  meet  for  the 
purpose  of  interchanging  their  thoughts  and 
feelings,  and  of  relating  any  cheering  evidences 
of  prosperity  that  may  exist  in  their  respective 
societies.  By  such  statements  other  church- 
es are  frequently  roused  to  exertion^  and  ex- 
perience a  happy  and  permanent  revival. 
While  in  the  band  meeting  the  observations 
of  each  speaker  should  be  generally  confined 
to  his  present  religious  state,  in  a  love-feast 
the  means  and  process  of  conversion  may 
be  very  properly  described  ;  taking  care,  how- 
ever, not  to  repeat  the  same  narrative  in  the 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  169 

same  place,  unless  it  be  at  a  considerable  interval 
of  time.  The  testimonies  which  are  given  on 
these  occasions,  and  which  develop  the  astonish- 
ing power  of  divine  grace  and  the  mysterious 
movements  of  divine  providence,  are  often  in- 
tensely interesting  and  impressive.  Where  is 
the  heart  that  can  withstand  the  melting  influ- 
ence of  the  plain  unvarnished  statement  of  one 
who  has  been  rescued  from  ignorance,  poverty, 
and  wretchedness,  by  the  transforming  power 
of  the  gospel ? 

Under  proper  restrictions  you  may  find  it  to 
be  both  your  privilege  and  your  duty  occasion- 
ally to  embrace  an  opportunity  of  attending  the 
love-feast  of  some  contiguous  society.  Let 
your  freedom  in  this  matter  be  exercised  with 
discretion.  These  excursions  should  not  be 
too  frequent ;  nor  should  they  be  indulged  in 
to  the  neglect  of  some  other  paramount  duty. 
I  have  known  some,  calling  themselves  Method- 
ists, who  would  walk  several  miles  to  a  love- 
feast,  but  who  would  withdraw  from  the  chapel 
when  the  Lord's  suppe'r  was  about  to  be  ad- 
ministered ;  and,  although  these  might  be  only 
exceptions  to  the  general  rule,  yet  such  excep- 
tions ought  never  to  exist.  Gall  them  not  ex- 
ceptions, but  inconsistencies. 

Although  the  brevity  of  speech  which  is 
necessary  in  a  class  meeting,  is  not  equally 
essential  in  a  band  meeting,  or  in  a  love-feast, 
yet  even  in  the  latter  you  must  guard  against 
inflicting  on  your  friends  the  miseries  of 
tediousness. 


170        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

If  possible,  avoid  being  late  in  your  return 
from  a  neighbouring  love-feast.  If  you  have 
companions  on  your  homeward  journey,  let 
your  conversation  be  as  becometh  the  gospel  of 
Christ. 

Let  me  earnestly  recommend-  you  to  attend 
punctually  for  the  renewal  of  your  ticket.    The 

QUARTERLY   VISITATION  OF  THE    CLASSES*  Is   a 

most  important  and  interesting  arrangement  of 
Methodist  discipline.  It  secures  the  advan- 
tages of  a  personal  interview  between  the 
ministers  and  the  people  ;  it  enables  the  former 
to  ascertain  the  spiritual  state  of  the  societies, 
and  consequently  to  adapt  their  discourses  to 
those  who  are  the  objects  of  ministerial  solici- 
tude. There  are,  in  some  circuits,  not  a  few 
who  seem  to  make  light  of  this  duty,  at  least 
if  we  are  to  judge  by  the  frequency  of  their 
absence  on  these  occasions.  I  would  assure 
such  that  they  need  not  be  alarmed  at  the 
prospect  of  meeting  their  minister,  who  would 
speak  to  them  in  a  tone  of  Christian  friendship, 
and  in  the  spirit  of  a'  faithful  and  affectionate 
pastor.  Their  non-attendance  will  certainly 
give  him  less  trouble,  but  not  equal  satisfaction. 
Moreover,  all  needless  neglect  of  rule  sanctions 
and  promotes,  to  some  extent,  that  state  of  dis- 
organization, which  has  only  to  prevail  in  a 
church  in  order  to  effect  its  utter  ruin. 

*  This  regulation  is  peculiar  to  the  British  Connectiou. 
—Am.  Ed. 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  171 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

ON  'fHE   DUTIES   OF   CHURCH   MEMBERSHIP. 

In  the  observations  I  have  made  on  the 
means  of  grace,  your  duties  as  a  member  of  a 
Methodist  society  have  been  to  a  certain  extent 
specified :  there  are,  however,  others,  the  ful- 
filment of  which  is  essential  to  your  consist- 
ency, your  comfort,  and  your  usefulness. 

Let  me  first  of  all  earnestly  recommend  you  to 
get  firmly  established  in  those  principles  which 
distinguish  the  denomination  of  which  you  are  a 
member.  Endeavour  to  acquire  correct  and 
comprehensive  views  of  the  doctrines  of 
Methodism  :  they  constitute  that  system  which, 
in  modern  phraseology,  may  be  designated 
evangelical  Arminianism.  This  I  sincerely 
believe  to  be  the  doctrinal  system  of  the  New 
Testament.  I  cannot,  of  course,  enter  into  the 
peculiarities  of  this  system :  you  will  find 
them,  however,  most  clearly  and  forcibly  elu- 
cidated in  Mr.  Wesley's  Sermons.  To  these 
Sermons  I  would  direct  your  most  serious 
attention.  Read  them  with  prayer,  and  they 
cannot  fail  to  benefit  and  enlighten.  Let  the 
views  which  they  unfold  be  tested  by  the  word 
of  God ;  and  I  think  you  will  find  them  to  be 
in  perfect  accordance  with  its  plain  declarations, 
as  well  as  to  furnish  rational  and  satisfactory 
interpretations  of  many  of  those  passages  which 
are  difl^cult  and  obscure.     The  last-named  ad- 


172        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

vantages  will  perhaps  be  more  extensively  de- 
rived from  Mr.  Wesley's  "  Notes  on  the  New 
Testament."  You  will' also  derive  great  ad- 
vantage from  an  attentive  perusal  :?f  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's "  Preservative  against  unsettled  Notions 
in  Religion  :"  and  on  no  account  omit  reading 
that  admirable  and  interestir  g  work,  Watson's 
"  Conversations  for  the  Young." 

At  a  time  when  the  most  strenuous  efforts 
are  employed  to  disseminate  the  principles  of 
infidelity,  it  is  especially  incumbent  on  every 
young  Methodist  to  obtain  some  acquaintance 
with  the  leading  evidences  of  Christianity. 
The  principal  of  these  evidences  lie  in  a  very 
small  compass.  Here  we  have  a  number  of 
books  recording  certain  events.  The  people 
who  lived  at  the  time  when,  and  in  the  places 
where,  these  books  were  first  published,  must 
have  known,  or  at  least  must  have  had  ample 
means  of  knowing,  whether  the  statements  they 
contained  were  true  or  false.  Had  they  been 
false,  not  only  would  they  have  been  instantly 
and  unanimously  rejected,  but  witnesses  on 
every  hand  would  have  come  forth  to  expose 
the  fabrications  which  a  set  of  designing  men 
were  attempting  to  impose  on  the  world.  But 
we  have  no  such  testimonies  handed  down  to 
us ;  and  for  the  best  of  all  reasons,  no  such 
testimonies  ever  existed.  The  events  of  the 
gospel  history  were  of  too  public  a  character 
to  admit,  on  the  part  of  contemporaries,  of  any 
doubt  whatever  of  their  existence.  As,  there- 
fore,the  facts  of  Christianity  co/inof  be  disproved, 


ADMONITORV  COUNSELS.        173 

the  foundation  of  your  faith  is  steadfast  and  un- 
raoveable.  And  as  for  its  internal  evidences, 
when  and  where  has  a  system  been  promul- 
gated for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  which  gives  a 
more  correct  description  of  the  moral  state  and 
character  of  man  ?  which  supplies  him  with 
more  efficient  remedies  for  the  evils  under  which 
he  labours  ?  which  enjoins  nobler  duties,  or  in- 
culcates purer  virtues  ?  which  unfolds  a  bright- 
er prospect,  or  which  reveals  a  more  suitable 
Saviour,  and  a  more  perfect  God  ?  All  these 
are  what  man  needs  ;  these  are  what  man  must 
have,  if  he  is  to  rise  to  honour  and  happiness. 
And,  before  you  allow  infidels  to  shake  your 
confidence  in  the  Scriptures,  you  must  require- 
them  to  accomplish  two  objects, — they  must 
first  demonstrate  the  falsehood  of  the  historical 
statements  of  the  Scriptures,  and,  secondly, 
they  must  supply  you  with  a  better  religion 
than  the  one  which  the  Scriptures  develop. 

Should  you  feel  any  perplexity  on  these  sub- 
jects, remember  for  your  encouragement,  that 
no  honest  inquirer  after  truth  ever  yet  became 
an  infidel.  To  solve  any  difficulties  that  you 
may  encounter,  as  well  as  to  defend  yourself 
against  the  assaults  of  the  common  enemy,  you 
may  read  Paley's  "Evidences  of  Christianity;" 
Paley's  "  Horae  Paulinae ;"  Bishop  Watson's 
•'  Apology  for  the  Bible  ;"  Leslie's  "  Short  and 
Easy  Method  with  Deists."  "  The  Infidel's  Own 
Book,"  by  the  late  Rev.  R.  Treffry,  is  a  most  in- 
teresting and  masterly  production.  You  will 
also  find  all  the  leading  arguments  against  infi 


174        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

delity  imbodied  in  the  first  volume  of  Home's 
."  Introduction,"  and  also  in  the  first  part  of 
Watson's  "  Institutes."  '    - 

The  steadfastness  of  your  faith  in  the  funda- 
mentals of  Christianity  will  be  proportioned  to 
the  earnestness  with  which  you  seek  the  bless- 
ings of  salvation.  If  you  feel  your  need  of  a 
Saviour,  if  you  also  feel  the  efficacy  of  his 
atonement,  if  your  heart  pant  after  holiness, 
and  if  you  experience  the  sanctifying  influences 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  you  will  not  be  easily  per- 
suaded that  the  gospel  is  a  delusion,  nor  soon 
induced  to  renounce  doctrines  which  you  feel 
to  be  the  foundation  of  your  hope,  and  the 
source  of  your  comfort.  A  firm  belief  in  the 
gospel  is  so  thoroughly  identified  with  its  prac- 
tical influence,  that,  if  the  latter  be  unfelt  or 
undervalued,  the  former  will  either  soon  lose 
its  existence,  or  become  a  cold  and  speculative 
opinion. 

If,  therefore,  you  have  found  repose  in  that 
glorious  scheme  of  redemption  which  the  New 
Testament  reveals,  unflinchingly  adhere  to  all 
its  essential  peculiarities,  and  strenuously  re- 
sist every  influence  which  would  awaken  your 
conviction  of  their  eternal  truth  and  infinite  im- 
portance. If  doubts  and  difiiculties  should  be 
8Uggested,.,seek  the  removal  of  them  by  reading 
and  prayer ;  if  they  continue  to  harass,  state 
them  to  your  minister,  who  will,  most  probably, 
be  able  to  give  you  those  directions  which  will 
terminate  your  anxiety;  but  above  all,  search 
the  %:riptures  and  pray. 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        175 

As  it  regards  the  mysteries  of  revelation,  it 
may  not  be  improper  to  observe,  that  you  are 
required  to  believe  them  simply  as  facts :  the 
mode  of  their  existence  not  being  explained, 
cannot  be  understood,  and  therefore  is  no  article 
of  Christian  faith.  For  instance  :  we  are  not 
informed,  and  therefore  we  cannot  comprehend, 
how  there  can  be  three  divine  Persons  in  the 
essence  of  the  Godhead.  But,  if  there  be 
meaning  in  words,  divine  and  infinite  perfec- 
tions are  respectively  ascribed  to  the  Father,  to 
the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  yet  we 
know  that  there  is  only  one  God.  We  are  not 
then  to  inquire  how  this  can  be  :  we  are  simply 
to  believe  that  it  is  so,  because  the  Bible  de- 
clares it.  We  are  required  to  believe  that  a 
Trinity  of  Persons  in  the  Godhead  is  consistent 
with  a  unity  of  essence ;  and  in  the  exercise 
of  this  faith,  we  are  required  patiently  to  wait 
until  the  mystery  be  unveiled  and  the  difficulty 
removed.  This  principle  of  believing  a  fact, 
without  understanding  the  mode  of  its  existence, 
governs  our  most  familiar  and  powerful  convic- 
tions, And  if  a  man  is  determined  to  believe 
nothing  that  exceeds  his  comprehension  of  the 
reason  or  mode  of  its  existence,  the  articles  of 
his  faith  will  certainly  lie  in  a  very  small  com- 
\  pass.     On  this  principle  he  must  relinquish  his 

}  belief  in  his   own    existence  ;    for   man   is   a 

mystery  to  himself.  I  make  these  remarks  in 
order  to  caution  you  not  to  allow  your  mind  to 
be  perplexed  with  those  abstruse  speculations 
which  are  too  high  for  you,  and  the   perfect 


176        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

knowledge  of  which,  in  our  present  state,  is 
unattainable.  Some  have  meddled  with  these 
things,  seriously  to  their  own  detriment,  as  well 
as  to  the  detriment  of  the  church  of  God. 
Novelties  have  been  started  which  have  multi- 
plied the  difficulties  they  were  intended  to  re- 
move, and  the  adoption  of  which  has  involved 
their  advocates  in  the  labyrinths  of  error. 
There  are  no  novelties  in  Christianity ;  except 
what  arise  from  the  undecayed  freshness  and 
interest  which  its  doctrines  possess,  and  the 
imperishable  beauty  which,  as  a  system,  it  ex- 
hibits. "  Be  not  carried  about  with  every  wind 
of  doctrine."  If  you  have  leisure  and  inclina- 
tion to  enter  into  a  fuller  investigation  of  the 
Methodistic  doctrines,  I  would  recommend 
the  perusal  of  Fletcher's'  controversial  works, 
but  especially  of  Watson's  "  Institutes." 

Aim  at  the  acquisition  of  fixed  opinions  on  the 
subject  of  church  government.  On  this  topic, 
volumes,  pamphlets,  and  tracts,  almost  without 
end,  have  been  written ;  and,  as  I  think,  to 
very  little  purpose.  Some  have  zealously  con- 
tended that  the  New  Testament  prescribes  a 
model  of  discipline,  to  which  all  the  followers 
of  Christ  are  solemnly  bound  to  conform.  In 
developing  this  model,  some  have  maintained 
that  Episcopacy  is  its  only  true  representation ; 
others,  that  this  honour  belongs  exclusively  to 
Presbyterianism ;  and  others,  that  it  most  un- 
doubtedly belongs  to  Independency ;  and  of 
each  of  these  systems  there  are  various  modi- 
fications.   The  result  of  thesf  conflicting  views 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  177 

has  been  to  divide  the  church  of  God  into  sects 
and  parties,  and  to  place  those  in  an  attitude 
of  rivalry  and  opposition  who  ought  to  have 
been  unchangeably  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  From 
my  inmost  soul  do  I  deplore  these  divisions  ; 
and  ardently  do  I  long  for  the  time  vv^hen  they 
will  cease  to  exist. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  that  those  who  profess 
to  draw  from  the  New  Testament  views  so  very 
opposite  on  the  subject  of  church  government, 
exhibit  an  almost  perfect  agreement  on  doctri- 
nal points.  When  therefore  men  distinguished 
for  piety,  candour,  learning,  talent,  and  patient 
research,  form  conclusions  so  very  different 
from  each  other  on  questions  of  discipline,  but  . 
who  are  one  in  questions  of  doctrine  ;  what  is 
the  inference  to  be  drawn  from  such  a  fact  ? 
Why,  that  there  is  no  precise  model  of  church 
government,  adapted  to  every  age,  laid  down 
in  the  New  Testament.  Had  it  been  so,  we 
may  be  assured  that  those  who  in  other  points 
are  guided  into  a  striking  sameness  of  opinion, 
would  have  been  led  to  evince  something  like 
uniformity  of  sentiment  on  this  subject. 

Some  have  attributed  an  importance  to  what 
they  conceive  to  be  the  Scriptural  form  of  church 
discipline,  which  has  placed  it  very  nearly  on 
a  level  with  the  essential  doctrines  of  the  gos- 
pel. And  yet  these  very  parties  have,  in  their 
own  communities,  adopted  usages  and  regula- 
tions for  which  they  can  produce  neither  actual 
precedent,  nor  positive  law  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. On  being  convicted  of  this  inconsist- 
12 


178        ADMONITORV  COUNSELS. 

ency,  their  justification  would  be  that  they 
had  the  sanction  of  some  general  principle 
which  was  obviously  enough  enforced.  This, 
in  my  humble  opinion,  is  all  the  sanction  the 
New  Testament  gives,  or  was  ever  intended  to 
give,  on  the  subject  of  church  government. 
General  principles  are  laid  down,  which  it  is 
for  us  to  ascertain  and  apply. 

It  is,  I  think,  evident  that  the  apostles,  in 
their  official  proceedings,  were  actuated  by  a 
regard  to  the  circumstances  in  which  they  were 
placed ;  and  that  their  decisions  were  adopted 
with  a  special  reference  to  the  state  and  cha- 
racter of  the  parties  whom  those  decisions  were 
likely  to  affect.  In  short,  the  wisdom  which  is 
from  above,  love  and  justice  toward  their  bre- 
thren, a  steady  zeal  in  promoting  the  purity, 
peace,  and  extension  of  the  church,  were  the 
moving  principles  of  all  their  conduct,  and 
formed  the  foundation  of  all  their  plans.  When 
a  religious  community  is  governed  on  the  same 
principles,  and  in  the  same  spirit,  it  is  governed 
rightly,  and  its  operations  will  be  generally 
beneficial  and  successful. 

That  system  of  discipline  is  undoubtedly  the 
most  Scriptural,  which  most  efTectually  accom- 
plishes the  great  purposes  of  Christianity.; — 
the  discipline  which,  in  the  natural  course  of 
its  operations,  secures  a  holy,  enlightened,  and 
efficient  ministry ;  most  safely  guards  the 
church  against  the  innovations  of  error  and  of 
sin ;  promotes  mutual  love  and  confidence 
among   the    people ;    unites    ihem    and    their 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        179 

ministers  in  the  spirit  of  cordial  co-operation ; 
and  imposes  those  obligations,  and  supplies 
those  motives,  which  prompt  to  the  most  vigor- 
ous efforts  for  diffusing  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel.  The  excellence  of  a  system,  there- 
fore, will  evidently  depend  more  upon  the  spirit 
in  which  it  is  administered,  than  upon  the  form 
irfto  which  it  may  be  organized.  The  wisest 
regulations  may  be  laid  down  on  paper  ;  fcon- 
flicting  claims  may  there  be  adjusted  with  the 
nicest  accuracy  ;  power  may  be  distributed  and 
invested  in  the  most  equitable  portions  ;  but  if, 
in  carrying  out  these  arrangements,  there  be 
bitterness  of  temper,  rankling  jealousy,  and  an 
individual  love  of  pre-eminence,  the  system, 
however  well  proportioned  and  beautiful  in  the 
abstract,  will  be  worse  than  valueless, — it  will 
be  positively  injurious.  It  will  fail  to  realize 
the  great  ends  of  the  Christian  dispensation ;  it 
will,  in  fact,,  bring  Christianity  into  contempt, 
by  presenting  to  the  world  scenes  of  enmity 
and  strife,  where  perfect  love  and  perpetual 
harmony  ought  to  prevail. 

In  judging  of  a  form  of  church  polity  from 
the  evils  which  may  be  connected  with  it, 
caution  must  be  exercised.  The  distinction 
must  be  drawn  between  evils  which  are  inhe- 
rent, and  those  which  are  merely  accidental ; 
and  before  passing  a  sentence  of  condemnation, 
we  must  ascertain  whether  they  are  fairly 
attributable  to  the  system,  and  are  the  natural 
and  necessary  result  of  its  operations,  or 
whether  they  do  not  proceed  from  the  incapa- 


180        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

city  and  unfaithfulness  of  its  professed  support- 
ers, or  from  the  violation  of  acknowledge^  prin- 
ciples, which,  if  properly  maintained,  would 
produce  a  decided  and  manifest  preponderance 
of  good.  Moreover,  all  human  systems  are 
more  or  less  imperfect.  The  difficulties  which 
a  community  has  to  encounter,  the  disadvan- 
tages under  which  it  labours,  and  the  extent  of 
its  resources,  must  also  be  taken  into  consider- 
ation. Were  we  to  form  an  opinion  of  the 
divine  government,  simply  from  the  aspect 
which  the  world  presents  to  us,  we  should  be 
inclined  perhaps  to  conclude  that  the  arrange- 
ments under  which  so  much  physical  and 
moral  evil  exists,  must  be  bad:  but  we  know 
to  the  contrary;  we  know  that  Jehovah's  ad- 
ministration is  uniformly  wise,  and  just,  and 
good ;  and  that  the  miseries  of  mankind  are 
not  brought  on  by  conformity  to  the  laws  of 
God,  but  by  rebellion  against  them. 

Should  you  determine  to  investigate  the 
merits  of  any  particular  form  of  church  govern- 
ment, endeavour  to  acquaint  yourself  with  its 
professed  design,  its  natural  tendency,  and  its 
actual  and  general  results :  if  all  these  be  con- 
sistent with  each  other,  and  their  consistency 
be  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  and  purpose  of 
Christianity,  you  will,  of  course,  conclude  that 
the  system  is  both  sound  in  principle,  and  suc- 
cessful in  operation.  "  By  their  fruits  ye  shall 
know  them." 

It  is  neither  expedient  nor  beneficial,  that 
you  should  allow  your  mind  to  be  perplexed 


ADMOMTORY    COUNSELS.  181 

and  unsettled  by  the  diversified  opinions  that 
exist  on  the  subject  of  church  government.  By- 
taking  into  calm  and  candid  consideration  a 
few  leading  principles,  you  will  not  be  long  in 
arriving  at  a  satisfactory  decision.  Having,  in 
the  fear  of  God,  formed  that  decision,  abide  by 
it.  Cleave  to  it ;  support  it  with  firmness.  Be 
not  induced  to  abandon  it  by  a  few  difficulties  : 
these  you  must  expect :  encounter  them  in  the 
spirit  of  prayer  and  of  faith  ;  sustain  them  with 
fortitude  and  patience.  Maintain  your  deliber- 
ate convictions  fearlessly,  but  meekly  ;  and  let 
it  be  evident  to  yourself  and  to  the  world,  that 
you  have  not  joined  a  religious  community, 
either  to  purchase  the  favour,  or  to  avoid  the 
displeasure,  of  any  human  being. 

Labour  to  the  very  uttermost  to  promote  the 
peace  of  the  society  of  which  you  are  a  member. 
Peace  is  an  essential  element  of  prosperity. 
He,  therefore,  who  by  his  example  and  influ- 
ence contributes  to  the  peace  of  a  church,  does 
something  toward  advancing  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  and  fulfils  a  very  important  part  of  the 
duties  of  church  membership. 

Avoid  giving  offence.  Some  professing  Chris- 
tians are  lamentably  defective  on  this  point : 
they  seem  to  have  little  or  no  regard  for  the 
feelings  of  their  brethren  ;  and  they  recklessly 
speak  and  act  toward  them  in  a  manner  which 
they  must  know  is  calculated  to  grieve  and  to 
irritate.  This  is  too  often  the  case  in  meet- 
ings for  business  :  should  you  become  a  mem- 
ber of  such  meetings,  be  watchful.     One  angry 


182  ADMONITORY   QOUNSELS. 

expression  may  lead  to  most  unexpected  and 
painful  consequences.  If  you  are  poor,  do  not, 
to  evince  your  independence,  address  the  lan- 
guage of  defiance  or  of  disrespect  to  your  more 
aflluent  brethren.  If  you  are  rich,  do  not  speak 
in  a  tone  of  contempt  or  of  authority  to  your 
poorer  brethren.  "  Condescend  to  men  of 
low  estate."  On  every  occasion  be  mild,  be 
gentle,  be  courteous  toward  all.  Cultivate  the 
meek,  humble,  affectionate  spirit  of  your 
Master  ;  and  let  this  spirit  govern  you  in  all 
your  intercourse  with  your  fellow-members. 
When  you  are  conscious  of  having  acted  in  a 
way  that  was  calculated  to  offend,  or  when  you 
perceive  that  you  have  offended,  though  unin- 
tentionally, lose  no  time  either  in  confessing 
your  fault,  or  of  assuring  the  party  that  you  had 
no  design  to  give  pain.  There  is  nothing 
servile  or  self-degrading  in  this :  it  is  a  mani- 
festation of  that  manly  and  noble  spirit  which 
imparts  dignity  and  lustre  to  the  Christian  cha- 
racter. 

Avoid  taking  offence.  Young  converts,  in  the 
simplicity  and  ardour  of  their  "  first  love,"  are 
apt  to  conclude  that  all  professors  are  as  holy 
and  as  consistent  as  they  themselves  wish  to  be, 
and  as  the  New  Testament  requires  them  to 
be.  But  they  soon  find  that  appearances  are 
often  fallacious,  and  that  the  best  of  men  have 
their  weaknesses  and  defects.  And  if  very 
high  expectations  have  been  cherished,  they 
are  overwhelmed  with  astonishment  when  they 
witness  the  first  appearance  of  inconsistency, 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  183 

or  experience  the  first  indications  of  unkind- 
ness.  Be  prepared  for  trials  from  your  brethren. 
The  apostle  Paul  had  to  bear  them ;  but  he  did 
not  on  that  account  indulge  feelings  of  resent- 
ment, nor  desert  the  post  of  duty.  Bear 
patiently  with  the  unpleasant  peculiarities  of 
others,  especially  when  modified  by  evidences 
of  fervent  piety ;  do  not  be  ofiended,  when 
there  is  manifestly  no  intention  to  give  ofl^ence. 
If  your  temper  be  naturally  proud  and  irritable, 
pray  against  it ;  struggle  against  it.  It  must 
be  conquered,  or  it  will  be  a  source  of  perpetual 
misery  to  yourself,  a  ground  of  frequent  com- 
plaint to  others,  and  a  serious  injury  to  the 
church  of  God. 

When  offence  has  really  been  given  to  you, 
do  not  on  that  account  abandon  the  church, 
neither  discontinue  your  attendance  at  class. 
To  condemn  a  whole  society  for  the  miscon- 
duct of  one  or  of  a  few,  is  gross  injustice.  To 
withdraw  from  the  means  of  grace,  because  a 
fellow-member  has  acted  wrongfully  toward  you, 
is  to  add  to  the  injury  you  have  already  received. 
Let  not  the  wound  which  has  been  inflicted 
rankle  in  your  bosom.  Do  not  brood  over 
your  wrong,  neither  seek  relief  by  telling  your 
grievance  to  others.  This  aggravates  the  evil, 
and  throws  obstructions  in  the  way  of  removing 
it.  By  this  practice  you  also  place  yourself 
in  a  most  disadvantageous  position.  By  staling 
your  accusation  when  the  accused  is  not  pre- 
sent to  defend  himself,  you  transform  the  of- 
fender into  the  offended,  and  become  yourself  an 


184        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

offender.  Go  at  once  to  your  adversary  ;  kind- 
ly and  respectfully,  but  honestly  and  firmly, 
lay  your  complaint  before  him  alone.  Guard 
against  the  use  of  language  which  might  exas- 
perate :  frankly  tell  him  your  opinion  of  his 
conduct ;  but  at  the  same  time  assure  him  that 
if  his  explanation  prove  that  opinion  to  be  ill- 
founded,  you  will  promptly  relinquish  it.  Do 
not  demand  any  acknowledgments  which  you 
cannot  in  justice  to  yourself  persist  in  enforc- 
ing; and  be  prepared  to  make  every  conces- 
sion which  reason  and  truth  may  require  from 
you.  This  mode  of  proceeding  will  generally 
lead  to  an  amicable  adjustment.  This  is  the 
mode,  not  merely  recommended,  but  enjoined, 
by  our  blessed  Lord.  Take  his  own  words  on 
the  subject :  "  Moreover,  if  thy  brother  shall 
trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault 
between  thee  and  him  alone.  If  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will 
not  hear  thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two 
more,  that  in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witness- 
es every  word  may  be  established.  And  if  he 
shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the 
church  :  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church, 
let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen  man,  and  a 
publican."  O  what  heartburnings,  what  con- 
tentions, what  divisions  would  be  prevented  in 
the  church,  if  every  member  who  is  offended 
by  a  brother  would  but  implicitly  obey  this 
clear  and  imperative  injunction !  What  a  know- 
ledge of  human  nature  does  it  discover !  How 
honourable  is  the  course  which  it  prescribes ! 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        185 

Here  there  is  nothing  but  what  is  practicable, 
nothing  but  what  is  reasonable,  nothing  but 
what  is  just  to  both  parties.  To  conform  to 
the  spirit  as  well  as  to  the  letter  of  the  precept, 
requires  the  exercise  of  real  humility,  but  a  hu- 
mility perfectly  consistent  with  a  proper  regard 
to  our  own  feelings,  and  our  own  interests.  It 
is  almost  needless  to  say,  that  when  the  second 
interview  is  necessary,  the  "  witnesses"  should 
be  persons  of  piety  and  of  prudence,  who  will 
be  likely  to  take  a  clear  and  impartial  view  of 
the  case,  and  whose  opinions  will  be  received 
with  deference  by  the  offender.  To  a  Metho- 
dist, the  other  expedients  having  failed,  the 
next  court  of  appeal  is  the  leaders'  meeting.* 

Abstain  from  evil-speaking.  This  abomina- 
ble sin  is  a  frequent  destroyer  of  the  peace  of 
churches,  as  well  as  a  murderer  of  the  reputa- 
tion of  individuals.  It  resists  every  impulse  of 
Christian  love,  and  violates  every  principle  of 
common  justice.  It  is  a  compound  of  malignity 
and  meanness,  of  duplicity  and  cowardice. 
Whether  it  be  the  result  of  wanton  thoughtless- 
ness, or  of  deliberate  malice,  it  is  alike  crimi- 
nal and  detestable.  The  whining  cant  with 
which  it  is  sometimes  accompanied,  renders  it 
the  more  insufferably  disgusting ;  while  the 
savage  eagerness  with  which  it  is  often  perpe- 
trated and  listened  to,  partakes  more  of  satanic 
malignity  than  of  the  peaceful  and  benevolent 
spirit  of  Christ. 

*  This  IS  true  of  England,  but  does  not  apply  to  this 
country.    See  Discipline,  pages  45-47,  92-94. — Am.  Ed. 


186        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

As  you  wish  never  to  be  the  victim  of  this 
most  cruel  practice,  do  not  make  others  the 
victims  of  it  by  your  own  conduct.  Never 
needlessly  expose  the  faults  of  your  brethren, 
I  say  needlessly :  there  may  be  circumstances 
when  it  will  be  your  duty  to  state  them.  The 
church  may  demand  it  in  order  to  the  exercise 
of  that  discipline  which  is  essential  to  its  purity. 
The  interests  and  happiness  of  others  may  de- 
mand it,  when  both  are  likely  to  be  sacrificed, 
unless  such  information  be  given  as  will  neces- 
sarily cause  a  withdrawal  of  confidence,  or  the 
termination  of  friendship.  Justice  to  yourself 
may  demand  it,  when  you  are  called  upon  to 
vindicate  your  own  character,  or  to  enforce  dis- 
puted rights.  But  in  all  such  cases  there  need 
be  no  exaggeration,  no  bitterness  ;  nor  can  you 
hesitate,  if  you  are  acting  uprightly,  to  confront 
the  individual.  But  it  is  in  ordinary  conversa- 
tion that  you  are  more  especially  to  guard 
against  the  sin  of  discussing  the  faults,  and  in- 
juring the  private  characters,  of  those  who  are 
absent,  whether  they  be  members  of  the  society 
or  not. 

Should  you  be  tempted  to  the  commission  of 
this  abominable  sin,  you  will  find  yourself  en- 
abled to  conquer  it,  by  honestly  inquiring  how 
you  would  speak  of  the  individual  if  he  were 
personally  present ;  and  also  by  inquiring  how 
you  would  like  to  be  spoken  of  by  the  parties 
whom  you  are  addressing,  if  you  were  absent. 
These  are  queries  which  come  home  to  con- 
science and  to  self.     The  sovereign  remedy, 


ADMOXITORY  COUNSELS.        187 

however,  of  evil-speaking  is  love, — pure,  disin- 
terested, universal  love.  If  this  divine  principle 
were  allowed  to  maintain  its  rightful  ascend- 
ency in  our  hearts,  we  should  never  be  guilty 
of  inflicting,  either  upon  our  neighbour  or  upon 
our  Christian  brother,  one  of  the  deepest  in- 
juries which  it  is  possible  for  man  to  sustain. 
"  Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbour."  It 
sweetly  impels  us  to  the  constant  observance 
of  that  glorious  precept,  "All  things  whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye 
even  so  to  them ;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the 
prophets."  May  the  God  of  justice  and  of 
mercy  write  this  law  upon  our  inmost  minds. 

To  both  the  innocent  and  the  guilty  I  would 
earnestly  recommend  the  occasional  perusal  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  admirable  Sermon  on  "  The 
Cure  of  Evil-speaking."  The  subject  is  also 
very  comprehensively  and  ably  treated  in  a 
distinct  "  Essay  on  Evil-speaking,"  by  the  Rev. 
W.  Shuttleworth,  of  Manchester. 

Not  only  is  it  your  duty  to  abstain  from  evil- 
speaking  :  it  is  equally  your  duty  to  give  it 
your  invariable  and  unequivocal  opposition. 
Never  be  an  approving  listener  to  the  tales  of 
backbiters.  It  is  easy  to  signify  your  unwil- 
lingness to  hear  them.  If  less  intelligible  inti- 
mations will  not  suffice,  the  best  plan  will  be 
to  propose  that  you  listen  to  their  statements 
on  the  express  stipulation  that  you  repeat  to 
the  party  whose  character  is  under  discussion 
every  word  that  is  spoken  against  him,  together 
with  the  name  of  the  speaker.    The  announce- 


188  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

raent  of  such  a  proposition  will  give  a  sudden 
and  complete  change  to  the  conversation.  A 
daughter  of  Eve  once  addressed  a  member  of  a 
Methodist  society  thus :  "  You  surely  do  not 

attend  the  ministry  of  that  Mr. ,  do  you  ? 

Why,  he  is "  Here  she  was  interrupted  by 

the  following  admonition :  "  Now  mind  what 
you  say ;  because  every  word  you  utter  will 

be  repeated  to  Mr. as  soon  as  I  can  see 

him."  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  intended 
communication  was  withheld. 

Here  allow  me  to  observe  that  when  you  do 
repeat  to  another  the  censures  which  you  have 
heard  cast  upon  him,  you  are  bound  to  give  the 
name  of  the  party  who  has  uttered  the  censures, 
with  full  liberty  to  the  accused  to  adopt  the  di- 
vinely prescribed  mode  of  justifying  himself, 
and  of  seeking  redress.  To  withhold  the  name 
on  such  occasions,  is  not  only  wantonly  to  tor- 
ture the  feelings  of  a  brother,  but  also  to  disable 
him  from  distinguishing  friends  from  foes,  and 
thus  leave  him  to  the  risk  of  suspecting  the 
former,  and  of  reposing  confidence  in  the  latter. 
To  mention  the  name  of  the  accuser,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  prohibit  the  accused  either 
from  making  any  inquiries,  or  demanding  any 
explanation,  is  to  act  the  part  of  a  malicious 
and  dastardly  mischief-maker,  and  to  create 
enmity  between  those  who  ought  to  be,  and 
who  but  for  you  would  be,  affectionately  united. 

Should  a  Christian  brother  request  you  in 
confidence  to  hear  his  complaint  of  the  ill  treat- 
ment he  has  received  from  another,  it  will  be 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  189 

your  duty  first  to  inquire  whether  he  has  en- 
deavoured to  adjust  the  matter  in  a  private  in- 
terview :  if  he  has  not,  decline  to  receive  the 
statement,  until  this  necessary  step  has  been 
taken.  If  it  has  been  taken,  and  it  be  wished 
that  you  should  act  as  a  "  witness"  and  a  medi- 
ator, you  may  then,  perhaps,  without  impropri- 
ety listen  to  the  representation,  providing  you 
do  not  allow  it  to  excite  a  prejudice  against  the 
party  implicated.  You  must,  indeed,  suspend 
your  judgment,  and  refuse  to  give  any  opinion, 
however  cautiously  expressed,  until  you  have 
heard  the  accused  speak  in  his  own  vindication. 
Whatever  appearance  of  consistency  and  of 
truth  there  may  be  in  the  narrative  you  first 
listen  to,  you  will  probably  find,  on  hearing  the 
other  side  of  the  question,  that  the  conclusions 
which  you  were  previously  inclined  to  think 
irresistible,  are  erroneous,  and  that  the  view 
you  had  taken  of  the  case  has  not  only  to  be 
modified,  but  reversed.  To  be  obliged  to  re- 
tract a  previously  expressed  opinion,  will  con- 
tribute neither  to  your  own  satisfaction,  nor  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  person  in  whose  favour 
it  has  been  given. 

If,  however,  an  aggrieved  party  commences 
an  appeal  to  you,  respecting  some  alleged  injury, 
and  with  the  circumstances  of  which  you  are 
well  acquainted,  you  will  be  acting  the  part  of 
a  "  peace-maker"  if  you  hear  his  statement,  and, 
if  it  be  in  your  power,  communicate  those  facts 
which  will  remove  the  false  impression  under 
which  he  is  labouring.     Indeed,  when  you  are 


190        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

aware  of  any  member  of  the  church  who,  from 
misinformation  or  misconstruction,  is  dissatis- 
fied with  the  conduct  of  a  fellow-member,  it 
■will  be  your  duty,  even  unrequested,  to  endea- 
vour to  undeceive  the  complaining  party,  by 
placing  the  affair  before  him  in  its  proper  light, 
and  thereby  divesting  him  of  his  groundless 
prejudices  and  resentments. 

You  cannot  too  highly  appreciate  the  value  of 
peace  in  a  Christian  society ;  nor  can  you  be 
too  deeply  impressed  with  the  fact  that  the  ex- 
istence of  peace  essentially  depends,  under  God, 
on  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  each  individual 
member.  Your  responsibility  in  this  respect  is 
fearfully  great.  However  obscure  your  worldly 
station,  you  have  it  in  your  power  either  to 
promote  or  to  interrupt  that  interchange  of 
mutual  esteem,  confidence,  and  affection,  which 
may  happily  prevail  in  the  church  to  which 
you  belong.  By  yielding  to  an  angry  and  re- 
sentful temper ;  by  the  utterance  of  rash  and 
offensive  language,  you  may  involve  yourself 
in  a  fiercepersonal  contest ;  and  though  you  may 
know  the  time  and  the  place  of  its  commence- 
ment, yet  you  do  not  know,  you  cannot  know, 
either  when,  or  where,  or  how  it  will  terminate. 
"  How  great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth !" 
One  solitary  "  root  of  bitterness  springing  up" 
in  the  church,  may  so  disseminate  its  poison- 
ous influence,  as  to  "  trouble"  and  "  defile 
many."  Let  it  therefore  be  your  prayer,  that 
you  may  never  be  the  originator  of  evils  so 
deeply   injurious    and   deplorable.      And   that 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        191 

such  guilt  may  never  come  upon  you,  "  put 
away  from  you  all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and 
anger,  and  clamour,  and  evil-speaking,  with  all 
malice,"  and  "  put  on,  as  one  of  the  elect  of 
God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mercies, 
kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long- 
suffering  ;  forbearing  and  forgiving,"  in  the 
exercise  of  perfect  love. 

The  existence  of  conflicting  parties  in  a 
Christian  church,  as  well  as  of  the  divisions  to 
which  they  frequently  lead,  is  to  be  invariably 
traced  to  a  deficiency  of  the  virtues  specified  in 
the  latter  of  the  two  preceding  quotations, — 
virtues  which  are  inculcated  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment with  impressive  earnestness  and  fre- 
quency. They  constitute  the  foundation  of 
peace,  because  they  guarantee  an  imflinching 
adherence  to  the  great  principles  of  truth  and 
of  justice.  Only  let  each  member  of  a  Metho- 
dist society  bring  these  virtues  into  full  de- 
velopment, and  no  unreasonable  demands  will 
ever  be  proposed,  no  reasonable  demands  will 
ever  be  resisted.  Moreover,  "  bowels  of  mercies, 
kindness,  humbleness  of  mind"  &ic.,  are  insepa- 
rably connected  with  active  zeal ;  they  are  the 
fruits  of  that  eflicient  agency  of  the  Spirit 
which  is  always  productive  of  deep  devotedness 
to  God,  and  of  enlarged  and  enlightened  views  of 
Christian  duty ;  they  consequently  ensure  that 
combination  and  constancy  of  effort  to  do  good, 
which  allow  of  no  opportunity  for  wrangling 
about  abstract  rights,  or  for  insisting  upon  inno- 
vations of  more  than  doubtful  expediency. 


192  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

Considering  that  the  ministers  and  members 
of  every  religious  denomination  consist  of  men 
possessing  the  unavoidable  infirmities  of  human 
nature,  I  do  not  see  how  it  is  possible  for  any 
community  to  be  entirely  exempt  from  the  re- 
sults of  these  infirmities.  And  if  dissatisfac- 
tion is  to  be  encouraged,  and  parties  and  divi- 
sions organized,  merely  because  some  measures 
are  in  operation  which  an  individual  supposes 
to  be  either  defective  or  inexpedient,  or  merely 
because  some  measure  is  not  adopted  which 
he  considers  desirable  or  necessary,  we  shall 
discover  in  every  Protestant  evangelical  com- 
munity abundant  grounds  for  remonstrance, 
controversy,  and  agitation.  Besides,  in  at- 
tempting to  rectify  evils  which  do  not  affect 
any  fundamental  principle,  the  remedy  may 
prove  worse  than  the  disease.  This  is  the 
case  when  a  mere  error  of  judgment  is  opposed 
by  acrimony  of  temper ;  or  when  the  discon- 
tinuance of  an  objectionable  rule  or  custom  is 
followed  by  protracted  and  ungovernable  con- 
tention. While  therefore  neither  minister  nor 
member  is  to  sanction  what  he  conscientiously 
believes  to  be  wrong,  sound  judgment  must  be 
exercised  in  discriminating  between  that  which 
is  wrong  as  a  matter  of  opinion  or  as  a  mea- 
sure of  expediency,  and  that  which  is  wrong 
on  account  of  its  palpable  opposition  to  the 
spirit  and  precepts  of  the  New  Testament. 
On  the  latter  grounds  our  resistance  can  neither 
be  too  honest  nor  too  meek ;  in  reference  to 
the  former  it  will  often  be  our  duty  to  surrender 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        193 

our  opinions,  and  to  sacrifice  our  feelings,  for 
the  sake  of  preserving  the  peace  of  the  church. 
For  the  loss  of  this  peace,  I  can  conceive  of 
no  consequent  advantages  w^hich  can  supply  an 
adequate  compensation. 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  say  that  the  repeal  of 
old  laws,  or  the  introduction  of  new  mea- 
sures, may  not,  in  some  cases,  be  wisely  re- 
commended. Such  alterations,  when  they  do 
not  violate  any  fundamental  principle,  and  when 
they  are  clearly  of  a  beneficial  tendency,  ought 
to  be  adopted.  And  to  secure  their  adoption,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  impart  information,  with 
the  view  of  removing  objections,  and  of  obtain- 
ing the  consent  and  co-operation  of  all  parties. 
This  information  must,  of  course,  be  tendered 
in  the  spirit  of  love,  and  communicated  through 
legitimate  channels,  and  accompanied  by  legi- 
timate sanctions.  In  short,  a  right  object  must 
be  aimed  at  by  the  use  of  right  means;  and  if 
such  means  cannot  peaceably  secure  it,  the 
only  course  prescribed  by  duty  and  sound  policy 
is,  to  abandon  it. 

If  you  and  the  society  or  connection  to  which 
you  may  belong  should  come  to  a  disagreement 
on  any  point,  your  sanction  or  conformity  to 
which  is  incompatible  with  the  dictates  of  a 
good  conscience,  or  by  which  your  peace  is 
seriously  and  permanently  disturbed,  your  spi- 
ritual improvement  retarded,  and  your  useful- 
ness impaired,  it  will  then  be  your  duty  to 
secede  ;  and  to  do  so  without  endeavouring  to 
infect  others  with  the  dissatisfaction  under 
13 


194  ADMOMTOXiV    COUNSELS. 

which  you  labour,  unless,  indeed,  you  believe 
their  eternal  interests  to  be  involved  in  the 
question.  The  most  unequivocal  mode  of  ex- 
pressing our  abhorrence  of  false  doctrines  is 
to  separate  from  those  who  inculcate  them. 
The  most  decided  opposition  we  can  give  to 
what  we  consider  to  be  fundamental  errors  in 
church  government  is  to  relinquish  all  connec- 
tion with  those  who  maintain  them. 

Never  lend  yourself  to  any  proceedings,  the 
obvious  tendency  of  which  is  to  generate  dis- 
cord and  division  in  the  church  on  points  not 
essential  to  its  purity  and  prosperity.  To  such 
conflicts  and  their  melancholy  results  some 
may  be  reconciled  by  the  exulting  considera- 
tion that  the  object  which  has  cost  so  many 
struggles  is  at  length  secured ;  but  while  con- 
templating the  achievements  of  victory,  it  may 
be  as  well  also  to  survey  its  desolations.  It 
may  be  as  well  to  think  of  the  numbers  whose 
minds  have  been  irritated  and  disgusted  by 
these  unhappy  contentions,  and  whose  peace 
has  been  lost,  perhaps  never  to  be  regained. 
It  may  be  as  well  to  think,  even  if  there  be  no 
organized  secession,  of  the  death-like  torpor, 
and  consequent  declension,  which  almost  inva- 
riably succeed  a  period  of  strife  in  a  religious 
society.  It  may  be  as  well  to  think  of  the 
scorn  with  which  the  world  observes  these 
scenes  of  religious  animosity,  and  the  occasion 
of  triumph  which  they  furnish  to  the  enemies 
of  truth.  It  may  be  as  well  also  to  remember 
that  the  wrathful  controversies  of  Christians, 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         195 

pierce  the  Saviour's  heart  with  an  additional 
wound  ;  nor  is  that  wound  the  less  agonizing, 
nor  the  less  cruel,  for  having  been  inflicted  "in 
the  house  of  his  friends." 

Let  your  feelings  and  your  conduct  toward  your 
ministers  be  strictly  regulated  by  the  precepts  of 
the  New  Testament.  The  pastoral  office  is  of 
divine  appointment,  and  it  therefore  claims 
your  profound  respect.  It  is  designed  for  the 
spiritual  edification  of  the  people  of  God :  you 
therefore,  as  one  of  them,  are  bound  to  cherish 
ardent  affection  toward  those  who  proclaim  to 
you  the  word  of  life.  They  are  instrumental 
in  conveying  to  you  the  richest  blessings  which 
you  can  possibly  enjoy  ;  and  while  the  great 
Giver  of  these  blessings  demands  your  highest 
praise,  you  are  not  to  regard  with  prejudice 
and  contempt  the  men  whom  he  employs  as 
the  messengers  of  his  mercy. 

A  poor  deluded  papist  renders  a  submission 
and  reposes  a  confidence  in  his  priest,  Avhich  is 
as  inconsistent  with  moral  freedom  and  common 
sense,  as  it  is  inimical  to  the  interests  of  truth 
and  piety.  But,  while  you  condemn  the  slavish 
prostration  of  intellect  demanded  by  the  priest- 
ly arrogance  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  you  must 
guard  against  the  opposite  extreme  of  despising 
those  "  who  are  over  you  in  the  Lord,  and  ad- 
monish you."  That  the  New  Testament  in- 
vests Christian  ministers  with  authority  is  un- 
questionable, inasmuch  as  it  enjoins  obedience 
to  their  instructions  as  a  part  of  Christian  duty. 
To  specify  the  legitimate  extent  of  ministerial 


196        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

power  on  the  one  hand,  or  to  define  the  precise 
limits  of  obedience  due  to  it  on  the  other,  is 
impossible.  These  are  points  which  the 
Scriptures  have  wisely  left  undetermined  ;  but 
they  are  points  respecting  which  no  difficulties 
will  be  experienced,  where  ministers  and  peo- 
ple are  bound  together  by  mutual  confidence 
and  affection.  Certain  it  is  that  neither  the 
one  nor  the  other  is  designed  to  interfere  with 
the  dictates  of  conscience,  or  to  trample  upon 
the  rights  of  private  judgment :  these  great 
prerogatives,  as  they  constitute  the  principal 
foundations  of  man's  responsibility  to  God,  must 
be  maintained  inviolate.  But  they  must  be 
maintained  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  of 
love.  The  rights  of  freedom  may  be  advocated 
and  exercised  in  the  spirit  of  most  absolute 
tyranny.  There  is  the  despotism  of  the  many 
as  well  as  of  the  yew.  Some,  evidently  misun- 
derstanding the  mutual  obligations  of  pastor  and 
people,  seem  to  think  that  their  independence 
cannot  be  upheld,  unless  they  multiply  occa- 
sions of  either  disregarding  or  opposing  the 
views  of  their  ministers  ;  and  they  seem  also  to 
think  that  the  more  frequently  those  views  are 
thwarted,  the  more  effectually  do  they  advance 
the  cause  of  religious  liberty.  Indeed,  if  the 
feelings  and  sentiments  which  are  occasionally 
manifested  be  correct,  the  people  are  appointed 
lO  watch  over  their  ministers,  and  not  the  min- 
isters to  watch  over  the  people.  But  when 
ministerial  conduct  is  viewed  with  unceasing 
suspicion,  and  judged  of  with  unsparing  sevo- 


ADMONITORY   COUNSELS.  197 

rity,  when  the  most  insignificant  matters  must 
be  so  guarded  and  managed  as  to  prevent  any 
encroachment  on  what  are  termed  popular 
rights,  it  is  impossible  that  there  can  be  either 
peace  or  prosperity.  There  is,  in  such  cases, 
a  want  of  that  confidence  which  is  essential  to 
cordial  co-operation,  attention  is  withdrawn 
from  objects  of  infinite  importance,  and  fixed  on 
things  that  are  comparatively  worthless  ;  more- 
over, there  is  generally  in  connection  with  such 
feelings,  a  want  of  that  purity  of  heart  and  spi- 
rituality of  mind,  without  which  outward  duties 
will  be  unaccepted  and  unblessed.  Those  who 
have  been  distinguished  for  eminent  piety  have 
almost  invariably  been  distinguished  for  ardent 
attachment  and  deep  respect  toward  the  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel. 

When  ministers  are  deprived  of  their  Scrip- 
tural authority  and  influence,  their  sense  of 
responsibility  is  proportionably  lessened  ;  the 
obligations  of  duty  are  in  consequence  but 
feebly  felt,  and  thus  one  powerful  and  neces- 
sary stimulus  to  exertion  becomes  extinct. 
Besides,  when  a  minister  finds  himself  eagerly 
opposed  and  eagerly  censured,  and  that  his 
feelings  are  not  deemed  worthy  of  the  least 
consideration,  his  mind  becomes  discouraged, 
and  his  affections  alienated ;  duty  becomes  a 
task,  and  labour  a  toil.  Undoubtedly  every 
minister  is  bound  to  cultivate  the  affections  of 
the  people :  the  people  are  equally  bound  to 
cultivate  the  affections  of  their  minister.  He 
also  is  a  man :  he  is  therefore  as  likely  to  be 


198        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

affected  by  their  conduct  toward  him,  as  they 
are  by  his  conduct  toward  them.  Nor  can  it 
be  imagined  with  what  cheerful  zeal,  with  what 
ready  self-denial,  with  what  delightful  expecta- 
tions, and  with  what  certain  success,  a  minister 
will  prosecute  his  labours,  when  he  discovers 
that  he  has  the  confidence,  the  respect,  the 
attachment,  and  the  prayers  of  his  people. 

Let  me,  therefore,  exhort  you  never  to  allow 
yourself  to  cherish  either  groundless  prejudices 
or  unkind  feelings  toward  your  ministers.  Let 
them  see  that  they  have  in  you  a  firm  support- 
er, a  cordial  and  a  steady  friend.  Let  them 
see  that  they  are  the  objects  of  your  esteem 
and  affection.  If  such  are  your  feelings  toward 
them,  you  will  on  their  arrival  in  the  circuit 
[or  station]  "  receive  them  with  all  gladness, 
and  hold  them  in  reputation."  Whatever  as- 
sistance or  kindness  you  can  render  them,  you 
will  render  it ;  and  it  will  be  done  evidently  as 
a  pleasure,  and  not  as  a  condescension.  There 
are  a  thousand  nameless  attentions  and  modes 
by  which  you  may  contribute  to  the  personal 
and  domestic  comfort  of  your  ministers,  and  by 
which  you  may  not  only  gratify  their  feelings, 
but  relieve  their  anxieties.  Heart-felt,  con- 
siderate, Christian  affection  will  never  be  back- 
ward to  perform  an  act  of  friendship,  nor  in 
discovering  when  it  is  most  needful  and  most 
seasonable. 

If  you  love  and  respect  your  ministers,  you 
will  neither  turn  them  into  ridicule,  nor  expose 
their  imperfections  ;  you  will  neither  encourage 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         199 

nor  retail  the  slanders  that  may  be  uttered 
against  them.  You  will  defend  them  against 
the  false  accusations  of  the  malicious,  and 
against  the  base  insinuations  of  the  envious. 
Knowing  that  the  usefulness  of  your  ministers 
depends,  in  a  great  measure,  on  the  estimation 
in  which  they  are  held,  you  will  strenuously 
uphold  their  characters  ;  and,  should  truth  en- 
join silence,  with  silence  you  will  be  contented. 
If  ministerial  character  has  been  forfeited,  re- 
member the  connection  has  the  power  of  exer- 
cising the  needful  discipline  :  this  ought  to 
satisfy. 

Let  your  affection  for  your  ministers  be 
evinced  by  cordially  co-operating  with  them  in 
carrying  out  plans  of  usefulness.  No  professions 
of  attachment  on  the  part  of  a  people  are  of  the 
least  value,  if  their  ministers,  in  order  to  secure 
their  exertions,  must  repeatedly  use  remon- 
strance and  importunity. 

If  you  truly  love  your  ministers,  you  will 
pray  for  them ;  in  private,  as  well  as  in  social 
meetings,  you  will  implore  the  divine  blessing 
on  them  and  on  their  labours.  They  have 
anxieties  which  you  cannot  feel ;  trials  of  which 
you  know  nothing  :  against  them  the  enemy  of 
souls  directs  his  most  subtle  and  powerful 
assaults.  Pray  for  your  ministers,  that  they 
may  be  preserved  from  evil,  and  that  their 
faith  and  love  and  usefulness  may  abound  more 
and  more  ;  pray  for  a  blessing  on  their  family 
connections,  and  that  wherever  they  go  the 
presence  and  power  of  God  may  go  with  them, 


200        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

and  enable  them  to  make  known  the  savour  of 
his  name  in  every  place. 

If  your  love  to  your  ministers  be  consistent, 
you  will  love  them  for  their  work's  sake.  You 
will  regard  them  as  "  ambassadors  for  Christ," 
as  "  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God."  So  far 
as  character  is  concerned,  you  will  give  supe- 
rior respect  to  superior  excellence  :  without 
doing  injustice  to  any,  you  will  naturally  cherish 
the  highest  regard  toward  those  who  manifest 
the  most  fervent  piety,  and  the  most  active 
zeal.  In  thus  yielding  to  the  influence  of  moral 
worth,  you  will  act  justly  and  wisely.  And 
while  you  will  overlook  minor  defects,  when 
they  are  outnumbered  and  outshone  by  the 
sterling  qualities  of  real  religion,  you  will  not 
give  your  commendation  and  esteem  to  those 
whose  defects  are  as  prominent  as  their  ex- 
cellences. It  will  not  be  because  a  minister 
panders  to  certain  prejudices,  or  because  he  is 
a  good  table  companion,  or  a  clever  teller  of 
anecdotes,  that  you  will  give  him  your  regard  ; 
neither  will  you  be  induced  to  believe  that 
singularity  of  dress,  or  slovenliness  of  appear- 
ance, or  any  other  eccentricity,  is  the  least 
proof  of  superior  wisdom.  You  will  love  him 
most  for  his  deep  piety,  for  his  manifest  pos- 
session of  the  mind  of  Christ,  and  for  his  entire 
devotedness  to  the  service  of  God. 

If  your  love  to  your  ministers  be  sincere, 
you  will  exert  your  ability  and  your  influence 
toward  securing  for  them  a  liberal  support. 
Awful  indeed  is  the  condemnation  of  him  who 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  201 

enters  the  ministry  for  the  sake  of  filthy  lucre  : 
such  instances  among  Methodists  are,  I  firmly 
believe,  extremely  rare.  That  those  who  are 
exclusively  employed  in  preaching  the  gospel 
are  entitled  to  "  live  by  the  gospel,"  is,  I  think, 
clearly  affirmed  in  the  New  Testament.  There 
are,  however,  some  who  seem  to  suppose  that 
the  means  by  which  ministers  are  to  live,  can 
hardly  be  too  limited ;  and  there  are  others  who 
seem  to  think  that  the  allowance  is  abundant, 
if,  with  very  strict  economy,  it  be  just  sufficient 
to  procure  food  and  clothing.  It  should  be  re- 
membered that  if  a  minister  is  not  liable  to  the 
losses  of  trade,  neither  has  he  the  opportunity 
of  accumulating  its  gains.  And  if  his  previous 
situation  gave  no  promise  of  worldly  advance- 
ment, yet,  if  he  possess  qualifications  for  the 
ministry,  and  be  called  upon  to  consecrate  them 
to  the  service  of  the  church,  he  is  justly  entitled 
to  whatever  temporal  advantages  his  change 
of  occupation  may  confer.  As  for  improper 
inducements  being  held  out,  and  improper  mo- 
tives being  encouraged,  it  is  obvious  that  these 
are  evils  which  cannot  be  prevented  by  a  low 
salary,  unless  it  be  lower  than  the  lowest 
amount  of  wages  received  by  the  mechanic  or 
the  day-labourer  ;  as  whatever  is  above  this, 
may  become  a  temptation  to  numbers.  Some 
would  advocate  the  practice  of  giving  a  scanty 
salary  to  ministers,  in  order  to  keep  them  hum- 
ble ;  forgetting  that  a  light  purse  is  often  pos- 
sessed by  a  proud  spirit.  Moreover,  covetous- 
ness  is  as  great  a  sin  as  pride  ;  and  I  know  of 


203  ADMONITORV    COUNSELS. 

nothing  more  likely  to  generate  this  odious 
vice,  than  that  excessive  carefulness  which  is 
rendered  necessary  by  inadequate  pecuniary 
resources.  The  truth  is,  the  minister  who  will 
not  be  humble,  and  spiritual,  and  zealous,  un- 
less he  be  made  constantly  to  feel  the  incon- 
veniences of  poverty,  is  not  sincere,  and  there- 
fore not  fit  for  his  office. 

I  ground  the  claim  of  liberal  support  for 
ministers,  not  only  on  New  Testament  author- 
ity, but  on  the  following  facts  : — A  minister  has 
none  of  the  opportunities  of  trade  ;  he  has 
nevertheless  to  keep  up  a  respectable  appear- 
ance :  his  people  require  this.  He  must  enable 
his  children  to  earn  their  livelihood,  by  prepar- 
ing them  for  some  occupation.  If  he  must 
preach  so  as  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  pre- 
sent day,  he  must  read;  and  if  he  is  to  read, 
he  must  have  books ;  and  books  cannot  be  had 
without  money.  The  books  in  a  minister's 
library  should  not  be  merely  such  as  may  be 
read  through  and  then  laid  aside  ;  they  should 
chiefly  consist  of  works  of  reference,  and  these 
are  the  most  expensive.  And,  lastly,  he  ought 
to  have  the  power  of  exemplifying  the  spirit  of 
Christianity  by  acts  of  private  benevolence, 
and  by  subscriptions  to  religious  and  charit- 
able institutions.  If  a  scanty  salary  deprives 
him  of  the  means  of  doing  much  evil,  it  also 
deprives  him  of  the  means  of  doing  much  good. 
Let  your  example,  therefore,  evince  a  liberal 
spirit  in  the  support  of  your  ministers,  and  let 
your   influence   be   exerted   to  promote  it  in 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS  203 

Others.  You  may  not  be  able  to  do  much,  in 
your  own  estimation ;  but  if  you  do  what  you 
can,  you  will  do  much  in  the  estimation  of  God. 
In  fixing  the  amount  of  your  contributions  to 
ths  cause  of  religion  and  of  social  happiness,  com- 
pare your  necessities  with  your  resources, — at  the 
same  time  keeping  in  view  your  accountability  to 
God.  Supposing  you  to  possess  the  ability, 
you  are  bound  to  give  your  cheerful  support, 
not  only  to  your  ministers,  but  to  the  various 
funds  and  institutions  of  Methodism.  Some  of 
these  are  designed  to  give  increased  efficiency 
to  the  gospel  at  home  ;  and  others,  to  extend 
its  influence  and  multiply  its  converts  abroad. 
You  will  be  acting  like  a  wise  and  faithful 
steward,  if  you  acquaint  yourself  with  the 
respective  claims  of  these  institutions  ;  and  if 
you  have  sufficient  to  spare  for  distribution,  you 
will  do  well  to  divide  your  donations  among 
them  in  such  proportions  as  an  enlightened 
judgment  may  dictate.  The  amount  of  pecu- 
niary support  given  to  the  cause  of  religion 
should  not  depend  on  caprices  and  impulses, 
but  should  be  the  result  of  conscientious  con- 
viction, yea,  I  will  venture  to  say,  of  cool  and 
deliberate  calculation.  In  other  words,  a  sense 
of  duty  should  be  the  governing  principle. 
Our  duty  is  proportioned  to  the  extent  of  our 
resources,  and  the  demands  upon  them  ;  and  if 
God  is  prospering  you  in  business,  or  has 
given  you  affluence  without  labouring  for  its 
acquisition,  you  are  bound  in  principle,  in  grati- 
tude, and  in  justice,  to  contribute  much,  yea, 


204        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

very  much  to  the  cause  of  Christianity.  I  need 
not  request  you  to  read  Harris's  "  Mammon," 
and  Treffry  on  "  Covetousness."  Consider  the 
station  you  occupy  in  the  sight  of  God,  as  a 
possessor  of  property.  Be  it  little  or  be  it 
much,  it  is  a  talent  committed  to  your  trust ; 
and  for  the  use  of  which  a  strict  account  must 
be  given.  You  will  have  to  give  an  account 
of  the  management  of  your  income  :  if  it  be 
large,  it  is  equally  criminal  to  squander  it  by 
improvidence,  or  to  hoard  it  in  the  spirit  of 
avarice.  If  it  be  small,  and  yet  not  so  small 
but  something  might  be  spared  out  of  it  for  re- 
ligion, were  prudence  and  economy  exercised, 
God  will  expect  you  to  spare  that "  something." 
In  considering  these  matters,  believe  in  the 
reality  of  a  judgment  to  come ;  and  ask  your- 
self in  what  light  the  wealth  of  this  world  will 
be  viewed  then,  and  whether  you  will  then 
regret  any  act  of  self-denial  to  which  you  may 
now  submit,  that  you  may  be  able  more  liber- 
ally to  support  the  cause  of  God.  This  is  too 
seldom  regarded  as  a  duty.  I  know  an  ex- 
cellent individual,  whose  wealth  is  consider- 
able, and  whose  active,  consistent  benevolence, 
is  beyond  all  praise.  Many  years  ago,  during 
a  season  of  commercial  distress,  he  one  day 
announced  to  his  family  that,  in  consequence 
of  the  depression  in  trade,  and  the  very  severe 
losses  which  his  firm  had  sustained,  their 
household  and  personal  expenses  would  pro- 
bably have  to  be  subjected  to  considerable  re- 
striction :  "  But,"  said  he,  "  we  will  not  begin 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.         205 

our  economy  by  lessening  our  subscriptions 
and  donations  to  the  cause  of  God  :  other  de- 
partments shall  first  undergo  reduction,  and 
every  practicable  means  shall  be  adopted  of 
preventing  the  necessity  of  making  any  deduc- 
tions from  the  claims  of  Christian  benevolence." 
What  a  splendid  instance  was  this  of  the  power 
of  Christian  principle  !  How  many,  in  similar 
circumstances,  would  have  deemed  it  right  to 
reverse  the  order  of  proceeding ! 

May  I  venture  affectionately  to  suggest  to 
those  of  my  readers  who  have  to  toil  for  their 
daily  bread,  that  you  probably  owe  much  to  re- 
ligion for  the  improvement  which  it  has  effect- 
ed in  your  temporal  circumstances.  Previous- 
ly to  your  conversion,  your  earnings  were  per- 
haps spent  in  the  haunts  of  profligacy :  religion 
has  made  you  temperate,  prudent,  industrious, 
and  honest.  You  can  now  secure  for  your- 
selves and  families,  peaceful  homes  and  many 
comforts.  For  these  advantages  you  are  in- 
debted to  religion  :  has  it  not,  therefore,  power- 
ful claims  on  your  gratitude  ?  And  ought  there 
to  be,  on  your  part,  a  niggardly,  reluctant  spirit, 
in  contributing  to  the  support  of  those  institu- 
tions with  which,  as  a  Methodist,  you  are  iden- 
tified ?  An  individual  who  is  not  wealthy,  who 
"  works  for  his  living,"  was  not  long  since 
brought  to  the  enjoyment  of  gospel  blessings  : 
he  began  to  meet  in  class ;  he  presented  six- 
pence as  his  first  weekly  donation  ;  his  leader, 
who  is  a  minister,  thought  it  right  to  intimate 
to  him,  that  from  brethren  in  his  station,  so 


206        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

large  a  weekly  payment  was  neither  usual  nor 
expected.  He  replied  to  the  following  effect : 
— "  When  I  served  the  devil,  his  service  cost 
me  many  sixpences  a  week :  now  I  am  in  the 
service  of  Christ,  I  save  all  these  sixpences  5 
and  I  think,  sir,  I  ought  to  spare  at  least  one 
of  them  for  my  Master." 

Endeavour  to  be  useful.  Your  object  in  be- 
coming a  member  of  a  Methodist  society  is 
first,  to  secure  your  own  spiritual  advancement ; 
but  this  is  not  all.  By  uniting  yourself  with 
the  church  you  have  solemnly  consecrated 
yourself  to  the  service  of  Christ ;  you  have 
vowed  to  be  his  entirely,  and  for  ever.  The 
weighty  obligations  you  have  deliberately  taken 
upon  yourself,  cannot  be  fulfilled,  unless  you 
labour  to  the  utmost  in  promoting  the  interests 
of  that  cause  to  which  you  are  attached.  One 
great  design  of  church  membership  is,  by  the 
exciting  and  sympathetic  influence  of  combina- 
tion, to  engage  the  people  of  God  in  the  active 
exertions  of  Christian  zeal.  This  object  Metho- 
dism is  peculiarly  adapted  to  realize.  Its  ranks 
of  travelling  and  local  preachers,  leaders, 
stewards,  Sunday-school  teachers,  and  tract 
distributors,  furnish  departments  wherein  each 
may  find  an  appropriate  sphere  of  usefulness. 
Whoever  joins  a  Methodist  society  with  the 
impression  that  he  has  nothing  to  do  but  to  at- 
tend to  his  own  salvation,  has  most  strangely 
mistaken  the  character  of  Methodism,  and  has 
imbibed  strangely  contracted  views  of  Chris- 
tian obligation.     Every  one  who   is    a  moral 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        207 

agent  has  power  to  do  good.  As  a  Methodist, 
as  a  Christian,  you  must  exercise  this  power, 
— you  must  work  for  God.  To  imagine  that 
religion  consists  simply  in  observing  the  means 
of  grace,  and  quietly  pursuing  your  ordinary 
employment  during  the  intervals,  is  to  suppose 
the  religion  of  Christ  to  be  a  system  of  mere 
selfishness  :  whereas  it  is  a  system  of  enlarged, 
unbounded  benevolence.  It  is  a  revelation  of 
mercy  ;  and  those  who  receive  it,  not  only  par- 
take of  the  blessings  of  mercy,  but  are  also 
rendered  merciful.  It  infuses  into  their  hearts 
its  own  divine  tenderness  ;  it  awakens,  refines, 
and  expands  their  sympathies,  stretching  them 
to  scenes  and  objects  that  are  commensurate 
with  the  world's  habitable  surface,  and  prompt- 
ing them  to  aim  at  results  which  will  be  durable 
as  eternity. 

If  you  neither  purpose,  nor  desire  to  be 
actively  useful,  you  have  not  received  the 
spirit  of  Christ.  You  have  yet  to  seek  your 
own  conversion  ;  but  if  you  have  been  brought 
under  the  power  of  the  gospel,  one  of  its  first 
effects  has  been  to  fill  you  with  an  ardent  long- 
ing for  the  salvation  of  a  lost  world.  You 
think  that  if  you  could,  you  would  gladly  be  in- 
strumental in  promoting  this  glorious  object. 
Compared  with  the  magnitude  of  that  object, 
you  may  be  able  to  do  but  little  toward  its  ac- 
complishment ;  but,  compared  with  your  re- 
sources, your  influence,  and  the  limited  period 
of  your  earthly  existence,  you  may  do  much. 
You  may  be  the  means  of  converting  not  one 


208        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

soul  only,  but  many  souls ;  and  each  of  these 
may  be  instrumental  in  saving  others  ;  and  thus 
you  may  proceed,  calculating  the  successive 
results  of  a  rightly  directed  moral  influence,  until 
imagination  is  bewildered  and  overpowered  with 
the  glory  of  the  prospect.  This  is  not  dream- 
ing. It  is  the  sober  conception  of  what  is  pos- 
sible ;  yea,  certain,  if,  yes,  if  you  are  faithful. 
Be  faithful,  then.  Impress  yourself  deeply  with 
the  obligations  you  are  under  to  endeavour  to 
be  useful  in  the  church  of  God.  Carry  about 
with  you  the  conviction  of  your  solemn  respon- 
sibility in  this  respect.  Let  this  conviction 
have  an  abiding,  operative  influence.  Act  upon 
its  suggestions ;  obey  its  dictates ;  constantly 
believe  that  it  is  within  your  power,  and  that 
it  is  therefore  your  duty,  to  be  useful.  You 
need  not  be  reminded  that  usefulness  does  not 
depend  upon  wealth,  or  talents,  or  eminence  of 
station.  A  professing  Christian  may  have  all 
these,  and  yet  not  be  useful.  You  may  have 
none  of  them,  and  yet  be  the  means  of  doing 
immense  good.  Your  usefulness  depends  upon 
your  piety.  Eminent  usefulness  is  always  as- 
sociated with  eminent  piety.  Labour,  then, 
after  high  attainments  in  personal  holiness. 
Live  by  faith  on  the  Son  of  God.  Love  God 
with  all  your  heart.  Love  every  human  being 
as  you  love  yourself.  Continue  instant  in  pray- 
er. Be  watchful.  Be  thankful.  Walk  with 
God.     Walk  in  the  Spirit. 

While  you  diligently  cultivate  personal  re- 
ligion, endeavour,  by  habits  of  reading,  obser- 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        209 

vation,  and  reHection,  to  acquire  every  subor- 
dinate, but  requisite,  qualification  for  usefulness 
Ignorance  of  the  right  modes  of  doing  good 
often  frustrates  the  best  intentions  ;  and  indis- 
cretion frequently  neutralizes  the  efforts  of  an 
ardent  zeal.  We  are  all  liable  to  run  into  ex- 
tremes. Our  promptitude  is  apt  to  degenerate 
into  rashness  ;  our  deliberation  into  indecision  ; 
and  our  cautiousness  into  cowardice.  One  way 
of  preventing  these  evils  is  to  study  our  own 
hearts,  to  ascertain  our  own  infirmities,  to  cul- 
tivate the  virtues  in  which  we  are  deficient,  and 
to  rectify  those  peculiarities  which  may  weaken 
our  moral  influence.  We  must  also  study  man. 
We  must  observe  the  great  principles  of  human 
nature  as  they  are  developed  in  the  varieties 
of  the  human  character.  We  must  study  the 
best  means  of  gaining  access  to  the  mind, 
marking  particularly  those  modes  of  address, 
and  that  kind  of  deportment,  by  which  attention 
is  most  easily  secured,  by  which  the  heart  is 
most  powerfully  affected,  and  the  judgment 
most  thoroughly  convinced.  We  must  read, 
and  the  course  of  our  reading  must  comprise 
such  books  as  are  calculated  to  enlighten  our 
understandings,  to  expand  our  views,  and  to 
invigorate  our  intellectual  powers.  Nor  are 
large  books  the  only  books  which  are  capable 
of  conferring  these  important  benefits.  There 
are  many  which  are  comparatively  small  and 
cheap,  which  contain  lucid  and  Scriptural  state- 
ments of  Christian  doctrine,  experience,  and 
duty.  To  give  a  catalogue  of  all  the  works 
14 


210        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

that  may  be  worth  reading,  would  far  exceed 
my  limits.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  practical 
writings  of  the  old  divines  are,  generally,  the 
richest  in  thought  and  in  unction.  Select 
portions  from  the  works  of  Howe,  Baxter, 
Charnock,  Hopkins,  and  Bates,  may  be  regard- 
ed as  invaluable  treasures  of  truth  and  wisdom, 
and  may  be  read  with  great  advantage.  There 
are  also  some  modern  works  which  possess  the 
characteristics  of  sterling  excellence.  Such  are 
Foster's  Essays,  particularly  the  one  on  "  De- 
cision of  Character."  The  Rev.  J.  A.  James's 
"  Christian  Professor"  contains  some  most 
pointed  and  seasonable  admonitions  on  Chris- 
tian consistency  and  obligation.  "  The  Chris- 
tian Father's  Present  to  his  Children,"  by  the 
same  excellent  author,  should  be  read  by  every 
young  person  in  the  middle  class  of  society. 
Cotton  Mather's  "  Essays  on  doing  Good,"  is 
an  admirable  and  heart-stirring  little  volume, 
and  is  worthy  of  a  frequent  perusal.  There  is 
one  little  book  that  I  wish  could  be  read  by 
every  young  Christian,  "  The  Life  of  Harlan 
Page,"  published  by  the  Religious  Tract  So- 
ciety.* He  was  not  a  minister ;  he  was  in 
humble  circumstances ;  he  had  to  labour  for 
his  daily  bread,  and  died  at  the  early  age  of 
forty-three  ;  ^yet  such  was  his  love  to  souls, 
such  his  zeal  for  their  salvation,  that  it  was 
matter  of  ascertained  fact,  that  he  had  been  in- 

*  In  addition  to  the  works  here  mentioned  we  would 
strongly  recommend  the  publications  of  the  Book  Concern 
in  this  country. — Am.  Ed. 


ADMOXITORV  COUNSELS.        211 

strmnental  in  bringing  not  less  than  one  hun- 
dred of  his  fellow-creatures  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth.  O  that  the  spirit  of  Harlan  Page 
may  fill  the  hearts  both  of  ministers  and  mem- 
bers in  every  Christian  denomination !  On  the 
subject  of  reading,  it  falls  not  within  my  pro- 
vince to  give  further  advice  ;  only  to  say,  that 
if  you  have  opportunity,  you  will  give  your  at- 
tention to  history,  especially  church  history. 
Historical  records  exhibit  man  in  all  the  depths 
of  his  depravity,  and  possess  a  far  more  thrill- 
ing interest  than  all  the  novels  that  were  ever 
spawned  upon  the  public  :  shun  them  as  you 
would  poison.  However  fascinating  some  of 
.them  may  be  in  the  perusal,  two  effects  they 
will  most  certainly  produce  :  they  will  unfit 
you  for  solid  and  useful  reading,  and  will  give 
you  a  disrelish  for  the  active  duties  of  life. 
They  set  the  imagination  afloat ;  and  enervate 
the  mental  powers  :  in  short,  neither  intellect- 
ual nor  spiritual  energy  can  be  maintained  by 
those  who  yield  to  the  temptation  of  novel- 
reading. 

If  you  require  guidance  in  the  choice  of 
books,  one  of  your  ministers,  or  some  judicious 
friend,  will  be  able  and  willing  to  direct  you. 
Read  and  digest  good  books ;  and  you  will 
gain  that  knowledge,  and  manifest  that  general 
improvement,  which  will  fit  you  for  any  depart- 
ment of  usefulness  to  which  the  church  may 
call  you.  And  when  the  church  does  call  you, 
do  not  evince  an  affected  or  needless  reluctance 
to  obey  the  call.     To  decline  for  the  sake  of 


212        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

receiving  a  second  and  more  pressing  invitation 
is  insufferable.  And  if  you  really  think  your- 
self incompetent  to  perform  the  duties  of  an 
office,  you  should  remember  that  the  church  is 
the  proper  judge  on  that  point,  and  not  you. 
At  all  events,  it  is  your  duty  to  try  to  serve  the 
church  in  the  department  allotted  to  you ;  and 
if,  after  a  fair  trial,  your  incapability  is  manifest, 
you  can  then  with  honour  relinquish  the  en- 
gagement. At  the  same  time,  check  every 
feeling  of  eagerness  for  office  and  power :  be 
not  envious,  be  not  disappointed,  if  others  are 
preferred  before  you.  In  these  matters,  conform 
strictly  to  the  discipline  of  the  connection. 
Adopt  no  expedients,  exert  no  influence,  to 
secure  your  appointment  to  a  more  prominent 
station.  In  all  these  movements,  there  is  a 
special  providence,  which  will  safely  guide 
you,  if  you  only  seek  and  obey  its  directions. 

Whatever  department  you  undertake,  enter 
upon  it  with  a  single  eye  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  in  humble  dependance  on  his  blessing. 
Acquaint  yourself  thoroughly  with  the  duties  of 
the  office  which  you  may  be  called  upon  to 
sustain.  Prepare  yourself  for  difficulties  and 
discouragements,  and  be  determined  steadily  to 
persevere  in  the  course  of  your  duty.  Aim  at 
success  ;  pray  for  it,  and  earnestly  seek  the 
wisdom,  fortitude,  and  love,  necessary  to  make 
you  an  active  and  sufficient  labourer  in  the 
vineyard  of  Christ.  If,  for  instance,  you  be- 
come a  sabbath-school  teacher,  fail  not  to  con- 
verse with  the  children  of  your  class  on  the 


ADMONltORY  COUNSELS.        213 

subject  of  religion ;  seek  and  pray  for  their 
conversion.  Should  you  be  a  tract  distributor, 
be  not  satisfied  with  merely  exchanging  your 
tracts,  but,  wherever  it  is  practicable,  inquire 
into  the  spiritual  state  of  the  people  ;  and,  with 
affection  and  earnestness,  address  to  them  such 
exhortations  as  will  be  suited  to  their  circum- 
stances and  character. 

It  is  possible  that  your  situation  in  life  may 
be  such  as  to  incapacitate  you  for  undertaking 
any  of  the  offices  to  which  I  have  thus  advert- 
ed. You  are  not,  however,  on  this  account  to 
conclude  that  you  must  of  necessity  be  useless, 
or  that  you  are  exempted  from  the  obligations 
of  endeavouring  to  be  useful.  You  may  do 
much  toward  preserving  the  purity  of  the 
church.  When  you  observe,  on  the  part  of 
any  of  your  fellow-members,  a  neglect  of  the 
social  ordinances,  you  may  by  timely  inquiry 
and  expostulation  induce  a  return  to  duty.  If 
you  know  of  one  who  has  been  "  overtaken  in 
a  fault,"  it  will  be  obligatory  upon  you  to  en- 
deavour to  "  restore  such  a  one  in  the  spirit 
of  meekness."  By  acting  wisely  and  faithfully 
in  such  a  case,  you  may  save  a  soul  from  ruin, 
and  the  church  from  disgrace.  If  you  are 
aware  of  any  opinions  or  feelings  becoming 
prevalent  in  the  church,  which  are  either  in- 
consistent with  sound  doctrine,  or  which  are 
inimical  to  its  interests,  by  conveying  early  in- 
telligence to  the  superintendent,*  the  evil  may 

♦  The  same  as  preacher  in  charge  in  this  cpuntry.  - 
Am.  Ed. 


214  AUMOMTORV    COUNSKtS. 

be  removed  without  any  serious  difficulty.  At 
the  same  time,  meddle  not  with  the  private 
concerns  of  others :  "  be  not  a  busybody  in 
other  men's  matters." 

If,  during  public  worship,  a  stranger  should 
enter,  and  you  should  be  sufficiently  near, 
either  admit  him  into  your  seat,  or  direct  him 
to  another.  Attentions  of  this  nature,  rendered 
with  an  evidently  kindly  feeling,  make  a  favour- 
able impression,  and  secure  for  the  stranger 
the  privilege  of  hearing  the  whole  or  a  part  of 
a  gospel  sermon.  Observe  those  hearers  who 
are  not  members,  and  who  occupy  seats  con- 
tiguous to  your  own  :  without  having  your  own 
mind  distracted,  you  may  perceive  whether 
they  are  impressed  under  the  word.  Take  ad- 
vantage of  those  impressions.  Seize  the  oppor- 
tunity of  urging  them  to  be  decided.  Endea- 
vour to  engage  them  to  accompany  you  to  the 
class  meeting ;  and,  indeed,  whatever  indica- 
tions they  may  give,  it  will  be  your  duty, 
respectfully,  prudently,  and  affectionately  to 
propose  those  inquiries  to  them,  which  may 
enable  you  to  ascertain  their  spiritual  state, 
and  to  give  them  suitable  admonitions.  Many 
who  attend  a  Methodist  ministry  would  be  glad 
to  have  such  inquiries  addressed  to  them  ;  and 
wait  only  for  a  friendly  invitation  to  induce 
them  to  join  the  society ;  and  many,  it  is  to  be 
feared,  from  the  want  of  such  encouragement, 
are  lost  to  the  church,  and,  perhaps,  for  ever 
lost.  A  cordial  welcome  given  to  a  stranger 
on  his  first  appearance  at  your  class  meeting, 


ADMONITORY    COUNSELS.  215 

will  Hot  be  without  its  good  effect.  Whatever 
may  tend  to  win  the  attachment,  and  to  strength- 
en the  determinations,  of  candidates  for  mem- 
bership, is  of  real  importance,  however  appa- 
rently trifling. 

Embrace  every  favourable  opportunity  of 
urging  the  claims  of  the  gospel  on  those  who 
are  unconverted.  If  all  religious  professors 
fulfilled  their  obligations  in  this  respect,  the 
cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  would  speed- 
ily become  triumphant.  If  we  had  boldness, 
fidelity,  and  compassion  enough  to  bear  our 
direct,  constant,  and  honest  testimony  against 
sin,  sinners  would  be  unable  to  maintain  their 
ground ;  they  would  be  overborne  by  the  im- 
mense moral  power  which  would  act  upon  them. 
Sin  is  rampant,  because  it  is  allowed  to  go  un- 
reproved.  Sinners  walk  boldly  and  easily  in 
the  way  to  destruction,  because  the  people  of 
God,  in  their  individual  capacity,  do  not  place 
before  them  any  formidable  obstruction.  A 
mere  profession  is  not  suflScient ;  the  impeni- 
tent are  so  accustomed  to  its  existence,  that 
they  can  behold  it  without  self-reproach :  nor 
is  the  deportment  and  spirit  of  many  professors 
calculated  to  impress  the  ungodly  with  the  fact, 
that  there  is  a  very  obvious  and  a  very  alarm- 
ing contrast  between  them  and  the  real  Chris- 
tian. But  unless  we  are  more  active,  more 
courageous,  and  more  undisguised,  in  our  oppo- 
sition to  sin,  its  dominion  will  never  be  over- 
thrown. The  melancholy  truth,  I  fear,  is,  that 
we,  many  of  us,  have  not  that  full  experience 


S4#        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

of  the  power  of  the  gospel,  which  would  enable 
us  on  all  fit  occasions  to  declare,  that  we  are 
"  not  ashamed"  of  it.  We  hesitate,  we  shrink, 
when  the  terrors  of  hell  and  the  glories  of  hea- 
ven urge  us  to  action  :  instead  of  fighting  with 
the  bravery  of  valiant  soldiers  of  the  cross,  we 
flee  from  our  duty  with  the  timidity  of  captive 
slaves.  We  often  dare  not  reprove  sin,  because 
we  are  conscious  of  our  own  inconsistencies : 
we  expect,  perhaps,  in  reply  to  our  admonitions, 
to  be  taunted  with  our  frivolity;  or,  what  is 
worse,  our  worldliness,  our  moroseness,  our 
petulance,  our  pride.  We  must  have  that  mea- 
sure of  the  spirit  of  Christ  which  will  bring 
into  maturity  and  development  the  beauties  of 
holiness,  so  that  our  conduct  may,  of  itself,  be 
a  perpetual  and  forcible  reproof  to  the  wicked, 
and  give  additional  effect  to  our  verbal  admoni- 
tions. The  fear  of  man  must  be  superseded 
by  the  love  of  souls.  The  dread  of  ridicule  or 
of  insult  must  be  displaced  by  ardent  zeal  for 
Grod,  and  an  intense  desire  to  snatch  sinners 
from  everlasting  burnings. 

Again,  then,  let  me  exhort  you  to  embrace 
every  favourable  opportunity  of  warning,  ad- 
monishing, and  beseeching  the  ungodly  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  Let  this  sacred  duty 
be  performed  faithfully,  discreetly,  and  affec- 
tionately, and  God  will  bless  you  in  it.  If  you 
thus  endeavour  to  water  others,  you  will  be 
abundantly  watered.  Persist  in  your  exertions. 
Let  not  the  first  injunction  of  silence,  nor  the 
second,  drive  you  from  your  purpose ;  let  not 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        217 

many  repulses  induce  you  to  discontinue  your 
efforts.  A  young  woman,  on  being  converted 
to  God,  directed  her  special  attention  to  two 
of  her  associates,  who  worked  in  the  same  fac- 
tory :  they  resisted,  they  scorned  her  expostu- 
lations. One  day,  as  the  work-people  were 
leaving  the  factory,  she  induced  her  two  friends 
to  remain ;  and  conducting  them  into  a  room, 
she  locked  the  door  ;  and  telling  them  that  she 
felt  as  though  she  could  not  leave  that  place 
until  their  hearts  were  subdued,  she  entreated 
them  to  join  her  in  prayer  :  with  simplicity  and 
fervour  she  implored  the  divine  mercy  on  behalf 
of  her  two  companions.  They  were  both,  I 
believe,  softened  ;  but  one  was  so  powerfully 
affected,  that  she  gave  herself  fully  to  the  Lord, 
and  joined  an  Independent  church ;  from  the 
respected  minister  of  which  I  received  this 
statement.  Another  young  female,  a  member 
of  the  same  society  as  the  one  of  whose  zeal  I 
have  just  given  an  instance,  on  being  brought 
to  the  enjoyment  of  religion,  was  filled  with 
tender  anxiety  for  the  salvation  of  her  father  : 
he  had  gained  a  dreadful  notoriety  for  his 
wickedness ;  and  his  daughter's  piety  became, 
of  course,  the  object  of  his  bitter  persecution. 
Her  remonstrances  were  in  vain.  One  day,  as 
he  was  passing  the  door  of  his  daughter's  room, 
he  overheard  a  voice  ;  he  listened  ;  it  was  the 
voice  of  Mary  praying,  in  tones  of  agonizing 
earnestness,  for  the  conversion  of  her  father. 
The  aged  sinner  was  disarmed, — conquered. 
He  accompanied  his   daughter  to   the  class, 


■J  18  AliMUiNlTOKV     CUUNSKLb. 

found  peace,  was  made  holy  and  happy,  and, 
by  the  change  wrought  in  him,  he  became  an 
astonishment  to  his  neighbourhood,  but  most  of 
all  an  astonishment  to  himself.  Have  you  no 
relative,  no  fellow-servant,  no  neighbour,  no 
friend,  who  is  yet  unsaved,  to  whom  you  can 
address  an  occasional  word  of  admonition  ?  Are 
there  none  whom  you  can  prevail  upon  to  go 
with  you,  if  not  to  the  class,  at  least  to  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel  ?  Are  there  none  to 
whom  you  can  recommend  the  perusal  of  a 
book  unfolding  the  plan  of  salvation,  or  to 
whom  you  can  write  a  letter  of  friendly  coun- 
sel, and  of  pious  admonition  ?  Let  the  answers 
which  these  questions  must  receive,  determine 
your  future  conduct. 

In  all  the  relations  and  circumstances  of  life 
endeavour  to  maintain  uniform  consistency  of  cha- 
racter. There  is  one  point  of  consistency  which 
I  must  not  forget  to  urge.  You  are  possibly  un- 
married, and  at  present  free  from  any  matrimo- 
nial engagement :  whenever  you  may  form  that 
engagement,  I  solemnly  charge  you  to  "  marry 
only  in  the  Lord."  O,  what  miseries  have  been 
caused,  what  souls  have  been  lost,  by  disre- 
garding this  divine  permission !  Your  purpose 
is  to  reach  the  kingdom  of  heaven  :  will  you 
form  so  intimate  a  union  with  one  who  is  pro- 
ceeding rapidly  to  hell  ?  Will  you  give  your 
affections  to  one  from  whom  you  must  be  eter- 
nally separated  on  that  day  when  the  destiny 
of  every  human  being  will  be  sealed  for  ever  ? 
In  working  out  your  salvation,  you  require  all 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        219 

the  aid  which  can  possibly  be  obtained :  will 
you  place  yourself  under  the  influence  of  one 
whose  example  will  never  stimulate,  whose 
counsels  will  never  encourage  you ;  who  can 
never  sympathize  with  you  in  your  spiritual 
conflicts,  and  who,  in  the  hour  of  aflliction,  can 
administer  no  religious  consolation  ? 

You  probably  think  that  if  you  should  marry 
one  not  decidedly  pious,  your  prayers  and 
exhortations  after  marriage  will  complete  the 
work,  which,  perhaps,  in  reality,  is  not  even 
begun.  Many  have  thought  thus,  and  disap- 
pointment has  been  their  portion  ;  and  they 
have  become  the  victims  of  their  own  folly. 
Moreover,  where  there  is  no  promise  of  a 
blessing,  which  is  the  case  here,  it  is  presump- 
tion to  expect  one.  Besides,  to  act  thus,  is  to 
"  do  evil  that  good  may  come ;"  and  of  those 
who  adopt  this  principle,  the  apostle  says  that 
"  their  condemnation  is  just."  The  volume  of 
inspiration  declares  that  "  a  prudent  wife  is 
from  the  Lord  ;"  so  also  is  "  a  prudent  husband." 
Let  the  young  unmarried  members  of  Christian 
societies  believe  this  divine  declaration.  Let 
them  recognise  the  agency  of  providence  in 
this  momentous  affair.  Let  them  remember, 
that  their  happiness,  their  usefulness  in  this 
life,  and  in  all  probability  their  eternal  salva- 
tion, depend  upon  the  choice  they  make.  Let 
them  remember,  that  if  they  act  with  delibera- 
tion, if  they  exercise  sound  judgment,  and  offer 
up  fervent  prayer  to  God,  leaving  the  matter  in 
bis  hands,  he  will  give  them  a  partner  who  will 


220        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

be  to  them  a  blessing  on  earth,  and  with  whom 
they  will  share  the  bliss  of  heaven.  It  will  not 
be  improper  for  you  to  pray  that  your  affections 
may  never  be  fixed  on  one,  to  marry  whom 
would  be  rebellion  against  God.  Let  every 
pious  young  man  pause,  and  consider,  and  in- 
quire, and  repeatedly  and  earnestly  implore  the 
interposition  and  guidance  of  God,  before  he 
gives  the  slightest  intimation  of  his  regard  to 
any  young  female.  And  let  every  pious  female 
adopt  the  same  course  before  she  accepts  the 
proposals  of  even  a  pious  young  man.  If  in 
this  matter  the  word  of  God  were  only  believed 
and  obeyed,  every  union  would  be  crowned  with 
his  blessing,  and  the  result  would  be  as  large  a 
share  of  felicity  as  can  be  realized  in  this  vale 
of  tears.  Much  more  might  be  said  on  this 
subject,  but  it  is  needless.  I  may,  however, 
be  allowed  to  say,  that  in  addition  to  fervent 
piety,  good  temper,  good  sense,  with  habits  of 
order,  cleanliness,  industry,  and  economy,  are 
in  every  station  essential  to  domestic  comfort. 
Let  your  whole  deportment  evince  the  prac- 
tical influence  of  the  gospel.  Do  you  reside 
at  home,  and  are  your  relatives  pious  ?  Let 
them  rejoice  in  your  evidently  growing  con- 
formity to  the  mind  of  Christ.  Are  they  un- 
converted ?  Let  them  see  in  you  a  firm  and 
consistent  profession  of  godliness,  and  witness 
in  you  the  beauty,  the  excellence  of  religion. 
Assume  no  superiority.  Avoid  giving  unne- 
cessary reproof :  avoid  sternness  when  its  ad- 
ministration is  necessary.     Adopt  not  the  Ian- 


ADMONITOIIV    COUNSELS.  221 

guage  of  unseemly  dictation.  Let  it  be  mani- 
fest to  all  that  religion  renders  you  both  cir- 
cumspect and  happy ;  that  it  fills  you  with 
contentment,  and  clothes  you  with  humility. 
Let  your  irreligious  relatives  see  that  your  con- 
version, instead  of  alienating  you  from  them, 
has  sti-engthened  your  affection  toward  them ; 
that  it  has  increased  the  tenderness  of  your 
sympathies,  and  made  your  kindness  more 
cheerful,  more  disinterested,  and  more  unre- 
mitting. Thus  will  your  conduct  be  a  living 
comment  on  the  gospel,  and  in  all  probability 
they  will  be  "  won  by  your  holy  conversation." 
Are  you  residing  with  strangers,  and  filling 
the  situation  of  a  domestic  ?  O  think  how 
much  religion  may  be  honoured  by  your  strict 
obedience  to  New  Testament  precepts !  Be 
scrupulously  faithful  in  the  performance  of  the 
duties  of  your  station.  Make  this  a  part  of 
your  religion.  Endeavour  to  be  as  perfect  as 
possible  in  the  department  which  is  assigned  to 
you.  Observe  the  habits,  tastes,  and  regiUa- 
tions  of  the  family,  and  so  far  as  they  are  not 
sinful,  act  in  accordance  with  them,  so  that 
your  employers  may  see  that  you  study  their 
wishes  and  their  comfort.  Be  attentive  to 
directions  when  they  are  given ;  thoroughly 
understand  them,  and  implicitly  follow  them. 
Let  it  be  your  determination,  as  far  as  you  are 
concerned,  to  wipe  away  the  aspersion  which 
we  hear  so  frequently  cast  upon  religious  do- 
mestics. Give  not  that  time  to  devotional  ex- 
ercises which  justly  belongs  to  your  employers. 


222       ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

Be  as  diligent  in  fulfilling  their  orders  when 
they  are  absent  as  you  would  when  they  are 
present.  Claim  no  unreasonable  privileges. 
Bear  reproof  with  meekness,  "  not  answering 
again."  Sustain  trials  with  patience.  In  short, 
let  those  with  whom  you  live  see  how  good- 
tempered,  how  teachable,  how  industrious,  and 
how  faithful  religion  can  make  you. 

Are  you  an  apprentice  ?  Make  God  your 
Mend,  and  Christ  your  pattern.  Imbibe  large- 
ly of  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  making  its  precepts 
the  rule  of  your  life.  Guard  against  selfish- 
ness, indolence,  and  pride  ;  avoid  every  thing  in 
your  conduct  which  would  bring  religion  into 
contempt.  In  all  things  be  strictly  truthful  and 
rigidly  honest.  Be  sober-minded ;  be  clothed 
with  humility.  Let  not  the  influence  of  others 
betray  you  either  into  levity  or  ill-temper ; 
neither  allow  it  to  induce  you  for  a  moment  to 
act  inconsistently  with  your  Christian  profes- 
sion. Be  respectful  toward  your  employers, 
and  obey  their  commands  with  cheerful  prompt- 
itude. Try  to  excel  in  your  occupation  ;  make 
it  your  study  ;  endeavour  to  acquire  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  it,  and  to  secure  all  the  lawful 
means  and  qualifications  which  are  essential  to 
success.  It  brings  no  honour  to  religion  when 
a  Christian  professor  is  clever  and  apt  in  every 
thing  but  his  own  trade.  When  the  time  is 
your  own,  you  are  at  liberty  to  employ  it  in 
reading,  meditation,  and  prayer  ;  but  when  your 
business  demands  your  attention,  devote  your- 
self lo  its  duties  actively  and  heartilv  ;  consider 


ADMONITORY  COUNSEIS.        223 

it  as  a  service  rendered  to  God,  arjd  as  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  course  which  his  providence  has 
allotted  to  you.  Remember  no  situation  is  free 
from  difficulties  and  trials  ;  and  when  you  ex- 
perience them,  let  the  all-sufficiency  of  divine 
grace  be  made  manifest.  Toward  your  fellow- 
apprentices  cultivate  Christian  kindness  and 
affection  ;  let  your  deportment  toward  them  be 
such  as  will  enable  you  with  propriety  and  with 
confidence  to  exhort  them  to  seek  salvation. 
Whatever  reproaches,  whatever  disadvantages 
it  may  bring  upon  you,  steadfastly  refuse  com- 
pliance with  all  customs  and  rules  which  either 
lead  to  intemperance,  or  give  any  sanction  to 
vice.  Commit  yourself  and  your  ways  unto 
the  Lord,  and  he  will  continually  guide  and 
bless  you. 

Are  you  at  the  head  of  a  household  1  Let 
all  the  obligations  of  so  important  a  situation 
be  faithfully  discharged.  It  is  both  lamentable 
and  humbling  that  so  many  of  the  children  of 
professing  Christians  should  grow  up  to  man- 
hood without  evincing  even  a  respect  for  reli- 
gion: while  some  of  these  cases  may  not  be 
attributable  to  any  parental  neglect,  yet  the 
majority  of  them  are  doubtless  the  fruits  of  it. 
Unless  parents  make  the  conversion  of  their 
children  an  object  of  deep  interest  and  of  dili- 
gent effort,  they  will  never  be  the  instruments 
of  its  accomplishment.  Nor  will  parental  dis- 
cipline avail  unless  the  children  see  that  it  is 
connected  with  the  manifestations  of  Christian 
excellence.     This  discipline   must  consist  of 


224  ADMONITORY    COUNSELS. 

the  combined  inflvience  of  prayer,  precept,  and 
example.  When  religion  is  affectionately  in- 
culcated, and  beautifully  exhibited,  it  will  make 
impressions  which  cannot  die,  and  excite 
emotions  which  will  never  be  forgotten.  As 
so  many  valuable  works  are  extant  on  parental 
duties,  I  need  not  enlarge  on  the  subject.  My 
principal  object  is  to  impress  upon  you  the  great 
importance  of  domestic  obligations.  Metho- 
dists have  been  reproached  for  the  neglect  of 
them.  I  hope  this  reproach  is,  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, unmerited  ;  nevertheless,  in  a  community, 
inviting  attendance  to  so  many  social  ordinan- 
ces, there  is  danger  of  overlooking  the  duties 
which  belong  to  home ;  and  when  claims  are 
multifarious,  we  must  endeavour,  in  the  fear  of 
God,  so  to  adjust  them  as  to  assign  to  each 
duty  its  proper  place,  and  to  perform  it  in  its 
proper  season. 

As  a  Christian,  and  as  a  Methodist,  you  will 
be  punctual  in  the  observance  of  family  prayer; 
and  let  me  recommend  you  always  to  connect 
with  it  the  reading  of  a  portion  of  Scripture. 
Endeavour  also  to  enforce  those  regulations 
which  will  secure  the  blessings  of  a  peaceful 
and  well-ordered  household.  In  short,  exercise 
your  authority  firmly,  but  affectionately,  and  it 
will  command  respect  and  ensure  obedience ; 
labour  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  every 
member  of  your  family,  and  you  will  experience 
the  truth  of  that  solemn  and  impressive  decla- 
ration, that  while  "  the  curse  of  th£  Lord  is  in 
^he  house  of  the  wicked,  he  blesseth  the  habit- 


ADMONITORV    COUNSELS.  225 

ation  of  the  just."  Let  me  earnestly  recom- 
mend to  you  the  purchase  and  frequent  perusal 
of  that  admirable  work,  James's  "  Family 
Monitor." 

In  every  circumstance  of  life,  and  in  your 
intercourse  with  the  world,  invariably  maintain 
the  strictest  integrity.  Let  all  your  conduct  to 
your  fellow-men  be  governed  by  the  dictates  of 
sincerity  and  candour.  While  common  sense 
forbids  that  you  should  make  any  unnecessary 
disclosure  of  your  affairs,  religion  requires  that 
you  should  shun  the  artifices  of  deception  and 
cunning,  and  that  you  should  possess  that 
frankness  of  disposition  and  transparency  of 
character  which  will  render  the  purity  of  your 
motives  unquestionable,  and  the  truth  of  your 
statements  superior  to  suspicion.  In  all  trad- 
ing transactions  be  scrupulously  honest.  Chris- 
tianity requires  this,  and  even  more  :  it  requires 
that  you  should  not  only  be  honest,  but  honour- 
able, avoiding  that  mean,  grasping,  selfish  spirit, 
which,  if  it  can  be  indulged  without  cheating, 
cannot  exist  in  a  professor  of  godliness  with- 
out bringing  both  himself  and  religion  into 
contempt.  Let  all  who  deal  with  you,  feel  that 
they  are  safe  in  your  hands,  and  discover  satis- 
factory reason  for  reposing  entire  confidence  in 
you.  Take  no  advantage  of  the  ignorance  of 
others.  Let  no  false  representations  be  given, 
nor  any  false  impressions  made.  Never  with- 
hold the  truth  when  justice  to  others  requires 
you  to  state  it,  although  the  statement  may  be 
detrimental  to  your  own  interest.  Be  strictly 
15 


22G        ADMONITORY  COUNSELS. 

punctual  in  your  payments.  Let  no  debts  re- 
main uncancelled  after  they  are  due.  Guard 
against  rash  and  extensive  speculation.  It  is 
better  to  be  contented  with  moderate  but 
tolerably  certain  profits,  than  to  be  involved  in 
the  risk  of  reducing  yourself  and  your  family  to 
beggary.  That  your  credit  may  be  preserved, 
be  careful  to  proportion  your  personal  and  your 
household  expenditure  to  your  income.  These 
are  matters,  in  reference  to  which  no  occasion 
should  be  given  to  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  to 
blaspheme  :  if  we  are  regardless  of  the  con- 
siderations of  prudence  and  equity,  our  religious 
profession  will  be  condemned  by  the  world  as 
a  disgusting  mockery.  The  world's  frown  may 
be  borne  ;  but  the  frown  of  God  who  can  bear? 
To  treat  the  claims  of  creditors  with  indiffer- 
ence, or  to  incur  debts  which  we  know  we  are 
not  likely  to  discharge,  evinces  not  only  an 
utter  destitution  of  religious  principle,  but  the 
possession  of  a  heart  full  of  baseness  and 
hypocrisy.  Would  to  God  that  the  accusations 
of  dishonesty,  which  the  world  often  applies  to 
religious  professors  generally,  were  altogether 
false.  Let  not  your  conduct  give  occasion  for 
them.  Take  the  gospel  for  your  standard  of 
Christian  consistency  and  integrity ;  act  in  con- 
formity with  its  precepts,  and  let  the  spirit  of 
those  precepts  govern  all  your  proceedings. 

Manifest  Christian  candour  and  kindness 
toward  other  communities, — toward  all  who 
hold  Christ  crucified  as  their  living  Head. 
Your  own  connection  has  undoubtedly  the  first 


ADMONITORY  COUNSELS.        227 

claim  on  your  attachment  and  support ;  but  if 
you  have  acquired  enlarged  views  of  divine 
truth  and  a  correct  knowledge  of  human  nature, 
you  will  not  withhold  from  other  sections  of 
the  church  the  respect  that  is  due  to  them,  nor 
depreciate  the  excellences  they  possess  :  you 
will,  on  the  contrary,  rejoice  that  the  gospel  is 
preached  in  its  purity  by  ministers  of  other  de- 
nominations ;  and  according  to  your  ability, 
you  will  aid  their  institutions,  and  wish  them 
success  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Cultivate 
cordial  brotherly  affection  toward  all  the  fol- 
lowers of  Christ,  by  whatever  name  they  may 
be  designated.  Banish  every  spark  of  bigotry 
from  your  bosom.  Avoid  disputes  on  subordi- 
nate questions  of  discipline,  and  on  non-essen- 
tial points  of  doctrine.  Such  disputes  only 
engender  animosity  and  widen  the  divisions 
which  already  exist.  And  real  Christians  can 
surely  find  topics  of  interest  on  which  they 
agree,  and  on  which  they  may  converse  with 
mutual  satisfaction  and  advantage.  Let  me 
also  warn  you  never  to  proselyte  from  other 
churches,  nor  attempt  to  create  dissatisfaction 
in  the  minds  of  those  who  are  comfortably 
united  with  some  other  evangelical  commu- 
nity. If  you  can  reclaim  those  who  are  de- 
luded by  soul-destroying  errors,  do  so ;  and  if 
you  fulfil  your  obligations  in  seeking  the  salva- 
tion of  the  lost,  you  will  have  suflScient  employ- 
ment, without  needlessly  distracting  the  minds 
of  Christ's  followers. 

And  now,  my  dear  reader,  "  I  commend  you 


228  ADMOXITORV    COUiNSELS. 

to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace."  In  spite 
of  many  interruptions,  in  the  midst  of  many 
painful  domestic  afflictions,  I  have  at  length 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  of  a  work  on  which 
my  heart  has  long  been  fixed.  Has  the  perusal 
of  this  little  book  been  the  means  of  establish- 
ing you  in  the  faith,  and  of  rendering  you  more 
happy,  more  zealous,  and  more  holy  ?  If  such 
have  been  the  results,  my  aim  is,  in  part  at 
least,  accomplished.  My  last  exhortation  is, 
Press  forward,  persevere  unto  the  end ;  "  be 
steadfast,  unmoveable,  always  abounding  in 
the  work  of  the  Lord." — Your  trials  may  be 
numerous  and  severe ;  your  duties  may  be 
arduous,  and  your  means  of  improvement 
scanty  ;  but  if  you  are  prayerful,  watchful,  and 
believing,  you  will  realize  the  truth  of  the  Sa- 
viour's promises,  and  the  power  of  the  Saviour's 
grace.  As  an  incitement  to  continuance  of 
effort,  think  of  the  contrast  which  exists  be- 
tween your  course  and  that  of  the  ungodly. 
While  theirs  is  a  downward  progress  in  sin, 
and  a  constant  accumulation  of  misery,  yours 
is  an  advancement  in  holiness,  and  a  pathway 
of  pleasantness  and  peace.  While  they  walk 
in  darkness,  you  walk  in  heavenly  light.  While 
their  end  will  be  destruction,  yours  will  be 
triumph.  While  they  will  be  uttering  the  wait- 
ings of  despair,  you  will  be  joining  in  the  hal- 
lelujahs of  heaven. 

THE    END. 


SOI 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CAI.IKORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  EAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


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